Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Niacin (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3) is a vitamin that, at much higher doses, lowers triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol. It was used for blood fat disorders (Niaspan), but large trials found no reduction in heart events on top of statins, so its use has declined. Flushing of the skin is its best-known side effect. At small doses it treats pellagra, niacin deficiency.
Niacin acts on the receptor HCAR2 (GPR109A) on fat cells and skin cells, which also causes the flushing. The gene studies listed looked at HCAR2 variants for how much blood fats changed. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Niacin. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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