Leaflet Details
| Title | Nicotinamide B3 |
| Department | Dermatology |
| Author(s) | Natalie Green-Prestage |
| Review Date | August 2022 |
| Next Review | August 2024 |
| Download | A5 Booklet PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
What is nicotinamide?
Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 family of medications, it occurs in trace amounts in fish, meat, nuts, eggs and in a lesser extent in some vegetables. It is added to cereals and other foods.
How does it help towards preventing non-malignant melanoma skin cancers - Squamous cell skin cancer (SCC) and Basal cell skin cancer (BCC)?
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer by damaging the DNA in skin cells, suppressing the immune system’s anti-cancer response.
Vitamin B3 protects against this immune system suppression by replenishing cellular energy, enabling faster and more efficient DNA repair following sun exposure.
How does it help towards preventing Actinic Keratosis?
Nicotinamide has been shown to enhance the repair of direct and oxidative DNA damage in human keratinocytes. It builds keratin and protects skin from environmental stress.
Research
Evidence from Australia showed that Nicotinamide taken 500mg twice daily, orally, reduced common skin cancers (SCC) squamous cell carcinoma and (BCC) basal cell carcinomas known collectively as NMSC non-malignant skin cancers by up to a quarter in those who had had them before.
It reduces development of (AK) actinic keratosis by 11% after 3 months and 15% at 12 months. Research suggests Nicotinamide works after 12 weeks and the research also shows its benefits to skin do not last once the vitamin is discontinued.
Important note!
Nicotinamide is not a cure for solar keratosis. Prescription creams or cryotherapy from your specialist in conjunction with vitamin B3 is advisable.
Nicotinamide does not take the place of sunscreen, wide brimmed hats, seeking shade, sun glasses and regular skin check-ups by your specialist.
How to take Nicotinamide?
Dosage: 500mgs taken orally, twice daily.
What are the side effects?
It may cause gastric upset * therefore you may consider taking 500mg once daily and then work up to twice daily tablets if tolerated. The low dose recommended has not been found to interact with existing medications.
Vitamin B3 is also effective when used directly on the skin. It is available in some sunscreens e.g. Sunsense / Sunumbra / CeraVe SPF facial moisturiser and more
Where do I purchase nicotinamide from?
The tablets are not prescribed from your GP. They can be brought online or over the counter. Please ensure you buy the NON-FLUSH formulation not Niacin or nicotinic acid
Some ideas for you:
- G&G Vitamins 500 mg Nicotinamide Capsules £11, 120 tabs
- Lamberts 250mg nicotinamide tab 100, £7:60
- Health for all £8:89 500mg tablets nicotinamide 90 capsules
- Holland & Barrett 500mg nicotinamide £19:99, 50 tabs
- NHS pharmacists will order product for you? cost
Information Sites
Simply put in ‘Nicotinamide and skin cancer’ on a search engine such as Google for further reading.
Some examples below
- https://dermnetnz.org/topics/nicotinamide
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ - American health and drug benefits v.8(Spec Issue); 2015 Aug
- Sunumbra site also explains Nicotinamide effects on the skin
- BAD site patient nicotinamide leaflet
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1506197
