nicotinamide

Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide or NAM, is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 and an amide derivative of nicotinic acid. It is an essential nutrient found in food and used both as a dietary supplement and medication. As a supplement, it prevents and treats pellagra (niacin deficiency) without causing the skin flushing associated with niacin. Medically, it is used orally for deficiency states and topically for acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties; it also reduces the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers in high-risk individuals. Mechanistically, it serves as a precursor to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), playing critical roles in cellular metabolism, DNA repair (as part of coenzyme NAD/NADP), redox reactions, and cell signaling pathways including sirtuin regulation. At pharmacological doses, it can inhibit sirtuins and certain ADP-ribosyltransferases (e.g., PARPs). It has antioxidant effects and modulates immune responses by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 8 via toll-like receptor pathways[1][2][5]. Side effects are minimal at normal doses but may include liver toxicity at very high intakes.

Brand names

FortaplexInfuviteInfuvite PediatricMvc-fluorideMvi PediatricNatafortNeo-bexNicomidePregvitTandem Plus

Other names

niacinamidenicotinamidanicotinamidumnicotinic acid amidenicotinic amideβ-pyridinecarboxamide3-pyridinecarboxamide