Nicotinic acid-hypolipidaemic drug and plasma expander and its pharmacology

DESCRIPTION:
They are nicotinic acid. Often referred as niacin also knows as nicotinic acid, initially termed as   pellagra preventing factor.

Sources are liver, fish, meat and cereal husk.
The amino acid can be regarded as provitamin.

PHARMACOKINETICS:

It is absorbed from gastrointestinal tract. Physiological amount is metabolized in the body, while large dose are excreted through urine. Modest amount is stored in liver.

MEACHNISM OF ACTION:

Nicotinic acid is rapidly converted into its amide which is a component of NADP involved in oxidation reduction reactions. These acts as hydrogen acceptors in ETC in tissue respitration, glycolysis, fat synthesis. Flavoprotein regenerates them by oxidizing NADH and NADPH.

 THERAPEUTIC USE:

           1.It is largely as vasodilator

           2.It is use in case of deficiency of Vitamin B3

           3.It lowers the plasma rate

           4.It helps in respiration, glycolysis and fat synthesis.

           5.It is used in case of HARtnup’s disease

           6.Treatment of pellagra striking improvement occurs in 1 to 2 days.

ADVERSE EFFECT:

            1.Diarrhea with enteritis, stomatitis, glossitis, salvation, nausea and vomiting.

           2.Dermal rashes

           3.Sunburn

           4.Hallucinations

           5.Headache, insomnia, poor memory, motor and sensory disturbances.

DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS:

           1.Drug +chronic alcoholics = risk of pellagra.

           2.Drug + pellagra patient= decrease in absorbtion of Vit B3.

           3.Cycloserine+ drug= decrease the actions of drug

           4.4-deoxypyridoxine + drug = acts as antagonist for the drug. stops its effect

REFERENCE:-Tripathi K D"Essential of medical pharmacology",7th edition ,page no-635,636,640,913,914