Nicotinyl alcohol
Nicotinyl Alcohol[edit | edit source]
Nicotinyl alcohol, also known as niacinol, is a chemical compound that is derived from niacin, a form of vitamin B3. It is used in medicine primarily for its vasodilatory effects, which means it can help widen blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Chemical Structure[edit | edit source]
Nicotinyl alcohol is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H7NO. It is structurally related to nicotinic acid, differing by the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the pyridine ring. This modification imparts unique pharmacological properties to the compound.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Nicotinyl alcohol acts as a vasodilator, which means it helps to relax and widen blood vessels. This action can lead to a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in blood flow to various tissues. It is often used in the treatment of conditions where improved circulation is beneficial, such as peripheral vascular disease.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
The vasodilatory effect of nicotinyl alcohol is primarily due to its ability to release prostaglandins, which are compounds that play a key role in the regulation of blood vessel tone. By increasing the levels of prostaglandins, nicotinyl alcohol helps to relax the smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Nicotinyl alcohol is used in the management of several medical conditions, including:
- Peripheral vascular disease: It helps improve blood flow to the extremities, reducing symptoms such as pain and cramping.
- Raynaud's phenomenon: By improving circulation, it can help alleviate the symptoms associated with this condition.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Like many vasodilators, nicotinyl alcohol can cause side effects, including:
- Flushing: A common side effect due to increased blood flow to the skin.
- Headache: Resulting from changes in blood flow to the brain.
- Dizziness: Due to lowered blood pressure.
Related Compounds[edit | edit source]
Nicotinyl alcohol is related to other compounds derived from niacin, such as nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. These compounds share similar vitamin activity but differ in their pharmacological effects.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
