What is the Difference Between Nicotinic Acid and Nicotinamide

The main difference between nicotinic acid and nicotinamide is that nicotinic acid or niacin helps to treat high cholesterol whereas nicotinamide does not help to treat high cholesterol.

Nicotinic acid (niacin) and nicotinamide are two types of vitamin B3 forms that are important in treating vitamin B3 deficiency. Vitamin B3 naturally occurs in meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Nicotinic Acid
   • Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. What is Nicotinamide
   • Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. Similarities Between Nicotinic Acid and Nicotinamide
   • Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Nicotinic Acid and Nicotinamide
   • Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Nicotinamide, Nicotinic Acid, Niacin

What is Nicotinic Acid

Nicotinic acid (Niacin) is an organic compound and a form of vitamin B₃, an essential human nutrient. It is also used to prevent and treat niacin deficiency (pellagra). Niacin deficiency may result from certain medical conditions such as alcohol abuse, malabsorption syndrome, Hartnup disease, poor diet, or long-term use of certain medications (such as isoniazid). Moreover, niacin deficiency can cause diarrhea, confusion (dementia), tongue redness/swelling, and peeling red skin.

Figure 1: Niacin

Furthermore, nicotinic acid is a form of vitamin B3, one of the B-complex vitamins. Vitamins play a key role in the metabolism needed for good health. However, doctors prescribe nicotinic acid with a low-fat meal or snack, normally 1 to 3 times daily by mouth. In addition, taking nicotinic acid on empty stomach can cause flushing and upset stomach. And, eating spicy food, alcohol, and hot beverages have to be avoided during medication.

What is Nicotinamide

Nicotinamide or niacinamide is a form of vitamin B₃ found in food and used as a dietary supplement and medication. Generally, it occurs in meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals. Nicotinamide is important for treating pellagra. Moreover, nicotinamide is important for the metabolism of fats and sugars in the body and the maintenance of healthy cells. When taken too much, niacin is converted to niacinamide. Unlike niacin, nicotinamide doesn’t help treat high cholesterol.

Figure 2: Niacinamide

Moreover, nicotinamide is important in treating vitamin B₃ deficiency and related conditions like pellagra. Also, it is important in treating acne, diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, aging skin, skin discoloration, and many other conditions.

Similarities Between Nicotinic Acid and Nicotinamide

• Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are two types of vitamin B3 forms.

• They are important in treating vitamin B3 deficiency and its conditions such as pellagra.

Difference Between Nicotinic Acid and Nicotinamide

Definition

Nicotinic acid refers to an organic compound and a form of vitamin B3, an essential human nutrient, while nicotinamide refers to a form of vitamin B3 found in food and used as a dietary supplement and medication.

Treatment to Cholesterol

Usually, nicotinic acid or niacin helps to treat high cholesterol while nicotinamide does not help to treat high cholesterol.

Importance

Nicotinic acid occurs in food of plant origin while nicotinic acid occurs in food of animal origin. 

Dose

Nicotinic acid can be taken 1 to 3 times daily while nicotinamide can be taken 100-300 mg daily.

Side Effects

Side effects of nicotinic acid are flushing and upset stomach while side effects of nicotinamide include nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as headache, fatigue, and dizziness.

Conclusion

In brief, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are two types of vitamin B3 forms. They are important in treating vitamin B3 deficiency and its conditions such as pellagra. Nicotinic acid contains a carboxylic group bound to the heterocyclic ring while nicotinamide contains an amide group. On the other hand, nicotinic acid helps to treat cholesterol but nicotinamide does not. Therefore, the main difference between nicotinic acid and nicotinamide is their ability to treat cholesterol.

References:

1. Nicotinic acid oral: Uses, side effects, interactions, pictures, warnings & dosing. WebMD. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
2. NIACINAMIDE: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. WebMD. Retrieved September 20, 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Niacin structure” By Mysid – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Nicotinamide” By NEUROtiker- Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia