Hepatitis and hematemesis complicating nicotinic acid use.

Abstract

Nicotinic acid has a proven efficacy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Therapeutic use of this water-soluble B vitamin has resulted in a survival benefit among patients enrolled in the Coronary Drug Project. Conversely, nicotinic acid has been associated with a high side-effect profile when used at therapeutic doses. Nevertheless, there are no previously reported cases of hematemesis temporally associated with nicotinic acid use. The authors report the case of a previously healthy 20-year-old man who developed hematemesis and hepatitis 1 week after self-initiating the daily consumption of 6 g of nicotinic acid. Supportive therapy and discontinuing nicotinic acid resulted in rapid clinical improvement in this patient. The clinical circumstances suggest a possible causal relationship between nicotinic acid consumption and his presenting problems. The use of large doses of nicotinic acid may be rapidly complicated by hematemesis and hepatitis.

• Authors: G Ferenchick, D Rovner
• Journal: The American journal of the medical sciences (Am J Med Sci) Vol. 298 Issue 3 Pg. 191-3 (Sep 1989) ISSN: 0002-9629 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2801756 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Niacin

Topics

• Adult
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury (blood, physiopathology)
• Hematemesis (blood, chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Liver (physiopathology)
• Liver Function Tests
• Male
• Niacin (adverse effects)
• Prothrombin Time
• Self Medication