Inositol nicotinate, also known as inositol hexaniacinate, consists of six nicotinic acid (niacin) molecules crossed-linked with an inositol molecule. Inositol nicotinate is a form of niacin (vitamin B3) which may decrease flushing, compared to niacin. Inositol nicotinate has been in use in Europe for over 30 years as a no-flush form of niacin.
Good scientific evidence supports the use of inositol nicotinate for peripheral artery disease. Inositol nicotinate has also been studied as a treatment for cerebral ischemia (lack of adequate blood flow to the brain), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Raynaud's disease, and necrobiosis lipoidica (a skin condition associated with diabetes).
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Holti G. An experimentally controlled evaluation of the effect of inositol nicotinate upon the digital blood flow in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. J Int Med Res 1979;7(6):473-483. View Abstract
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Momsen AH, Jensen MB, Norager CB, et al. Drug therapy for improving walking distance in intermittent claudication: a systematic review and meta-analysis of robust randomised controlled studies. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2009;38(4):463-74. View Abstract
O'Hara J, Jolly PN, Nicol CG. The therapeutic efficacy of inositol nicotinate (Hexopal) in intermittent claudication: a controlled trial. Br J Clin Pract 1988;42(9):377-383. View Abstract
Rhodes EL. Fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of necrobiosis lipoidica. Br J Dermatol 1976;95:673-674.
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Wilke H, Frahm H. [Treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemia types IIa, IIb, IV and V with a combination of clofibrate and inositol nicotinate (author's transl)]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1976;101(11):401-405. View Abstract