niacin toxicity

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niacin toxicity High doses of nicotinic acid have been used to treat hypercholesterolaemia; they can cause an acute flushing reaction, with vasodilatation and severe itching (nicotinamide does not have this effect, but is not useful for treatment of hypercholesterolaemia). Intakes of niacin above 500 mg/d (the reference intake is 17 mg/d) can cause liver damage over a period of months; the risk is greater with sustained‐release preparations of niacin.