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What Causes Flushed Face After Taking Niacin?
Just noticed that my face is flushed as if I had taken a large dose of niacin. Also showed on my arms and hands. Have not taken any medication in the past several hours. Had taken allopurinol about four hours ago. Have been on that for 18 months without any effects from it. Only thing this afternoon that I ingested was a couple of 1 ounce chocolate covered coconut candies. They have never affected me before in my entire live. Also some salted cashews and pistachios. Also never a reaction to nuts in my entire life. Am 75 years old and in reasonably good health.
posted on
Mon, 23 Apr 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 8 May 2018
Answered on
Thu, 17 May 2018
Last reviewed on
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Hot flashes in the facial region is a side effect of Niacin. Niacin is a vitamin-B (vitamin B3), that's used to treat and prevent a lack of natural niacin in the body and to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.
Skin flushing combined with dizziness, itching or rash are some of the common side effects of Niacin which are mediated by the release of prostaglandins.
Since Niacin is also known to cause an increased serum uric acid level, to control the gout the dose of Allopurinol need to be increased by your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Hot flashes in the facial region is a side effect of Niacin. Niacin is a vitamin-B (vitamin B3), that's used to treat and prevent a lack of natural niacin in the body and to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood.
Skin flushing combined with dizziness, itching or rash are some of the common side effects of Niacin which are mediated by the release of prostaglandins.
Since Niacin is also known to cause an increased serum uric acid level, to control the gout the dose of Allopurinol need to be increased by your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
I find this answer helpful
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Suggestive of Niacin induced side effects. Niacin (Vitamin B3) is used to treat and prevent niacin deficiency states and to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
It's common side effects include skin flushing combined with dizziness, itching or rash which are mediated by the release of prostaglandins. Another important side effect is increased serum uric acid level. So, you may need to increase the dose of Allopurinol after consulting your treating doctor to control gout.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Suggestive of Niacin induced side effects. Niacin (Vitamin B3) is used to treat and prevent niacin deficiency states and to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
It's common side effects include skin flushing combined with dizziness, itching or rash which are mediated by the release of prostaglandins. Another important side effect is increased serum uric acid level. So, you may need to increase the dose of Allopurinol after consulting your treating doctor to control gout.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
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