What medicine should be taken for pellagra?
Pellagra (also known as niacin deficiency) is a nutritional deficiency disease caused by a lack of niacin (vitamin B3) in the body. In recent years, with the improvement of health awareness, the prevention and treatment of pellagra has become a hot topic. This article will combine the hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to give you a detailed introduction to the drug treatment options and precautions for pellagra.
1. Symptoms and causes of pellagra

Pellagra mainly manifests itself as "3D" symptoms: Dermatitis, Diarrhea and Dementia. Causes include:
| Cause type | specific reasons |
|---|---|
| dietary deficiency | Corn-based food for a long time, lack of meat and vegetables |
| malabsorption | Gastrointestinal disease or surgery that affects niacin absorption |
| Metabolic abnormalities | Alcoholism and drugs interfere with niacin metabolism |
2. Drug treatment options for pellagra
The core of pellagra treatment is niacin or nicotinamide supplementation. The following are commonly used drugs and their usage:
| Drug name | Dosage form | Usage and dosage | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niacinamide tablets | 50mg/tablet | 300-500mg daily, divided into 3 times orally | Avoid liver damage caused by large doses |
| Vitamin B complex | Tablets/Injection | Take 1-2 tablets daily or inject as directed by your doctor | Need to supplement other B vitamins at the same time |
| Niacin extended release tablets | 250mg/tablet | 1-2 tablets daily | May cause skin flushing |
3. Adjuvant treatment and dietary suggestions
In addition to medication, dietary modification is crucial. The following are recommended foods:
| food category | Recommended food | Niacin content (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| animal food | Chicken breast, salmon | 10-15mg |
| plant food | peanuts, mushrooms | 5-8mg |
| Cereals | Whole wheat bread | 2-4mg |
4. Recent hot discussions
1.Niacin and cardiovascular health: The latest research finds that moderate supplementation of niacin may help lower cholesterol, but excessive intake may increase the risk of diabetes.
2.Special population needs: Pregnant women and alcoholics have higher demand for niacin and need to pay special attention to supplementation.
3.Natural vs Synthetic Niacin: Experts recommend that you give priority to obtaining niacin through diet, and supplement medication only as directed by your doctor.
5. Prevention and precautions
1. Eat a balanced diet: include a variety of meats, grains and vegetables.
2. Limit alcohol consumption: Alcohol interferes with niacin metabolism.
3. Regular physical examination: High-risk groups should have their niacin levels checked regularly.
4. Drug interactions: Anti-tuberculosis drugs such as isoniazid may increase the need for niacin.
Pellagra is completely preventable and treatable with proper medication and dietary adjustments. If relevant symptoms occur, please seek medical treatment promptly to avoid delaying the condition.
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