Yes, Niacinamide and Nicotinamide Are the Same Compound
Niacinamide and nicotinamide are identical terms referring to the same chemical compound—the amide form of vitamin B3. These names are used interchangeably in medical literature and clinical practice 1, 2, 3.
Chemical Identity and Nomenclature
- Both terms describe the water-soluble amide form of nicotinic acid (niacin), which is a component of vitamin B3 1, 4
- The compound serves as a precursor to essential coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+, which are involved in over 400 enzymatic reactions in cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair 5, 3
- "Niacinamide" is the more commonly used term in North American literature, while "nicotinamide" appears more frequently in international publications, but they reference the exact same molecule 1
Critical Distinction from Niacin (Nicotinic Acid)
It is essential to distinguish nicotinamide/niacinamide from niacin (nicotinic acid), as these are different forms of vitamin B3 with distinct side effect profiles 2, 3:
- Nicotinamide does NOT cause flushing, whereas nicotinic acid commonly causes facial, arm, and chest flushing within 30 minutes of ingestion at doses as low as 30 mg 6, 7
- Nicotinic acid has a much lower upper safety limit (10 mg/day for free nicotinic acid) compared to nicotinamide (approximately 900 mg/day for adults) 5
- While nicotinic acid can cause significant hepatotoxicity at doses around 3 g/day, nicotinamide has a more favorable safety profile at therapeutic doses 6
Clinical Applications Using Either Name
The compound (regardless of which name is used) has established clinical applications 6, 2, 8:
- Skin cancer prevention: 1000 mg/day has been studied for reducing actinic keratoses and keratinocyte carcinomas in high-risk patients 9
- Dermatological conditions: Used topically for acne, melasma, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea 3, 8
- Pellagra treatment: 300 mg/day effectively treats this niacin deficiency disease 6
Practical Implications
- When prescribing or recommending "nicotinamide" or "niacinamide," you are ordering the same substance 1
- Product labels may use either term, but the active ingredient is identical 1
- The key clinical consideration is ensuring patients understand they are NOT taking niacin/nicotinic acid, which has the problematic flushing side effect 2