Vitamin B3 (also known as Niacin, nicotinic acid and vitamin PP) is an organic compound with the formula C6H5NO2 and, depending on the definition used, one of the forty to eighty essential human nutrients. This colorless, water-soluble solid is a derivative of pyridine, with a carboxyl group (COOH) at the 3-position. Other forms of vitamin B3 include the corresponding amide, nicotinamide ("niacinamide"), where the carboxyl group has been replaced by a carboxamide group (CONH2), as well as more complex amides and a variety of esters.

The terms niacin, nicotinamide, and vitamin B3 are often used interchangeably to refer to any member of this family of compounds, since they have similar biochemical activity.

Vitamin B3 cannot be directly converted to nicotinamide, but both compounds could be converted to NAD and NADP in vivo. Although the two are identical in their vitamin activity, nicotinamide does not have the same pharmacological effects (lipid modifying effects) as Vitamin B3; these effects occur as side effects of Vitamin B3's conversion. Nicotinamide does not reduce cholesterol or cause flushing.

Nicotinamide may be toxic to the liver at doses exceeding 3 g/day for adults. Vitamin B3 is a precursor to NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH, which play essential metabolic roles in living cells. Vitamin B3 is involved in both DNA repair, and the production of steroid hormones in the adrenal gland.

Available Form:

Vitamin B3 Granules

Umang Pharmatech equipments used for production of Vitamin B3 Granules:

Drug Layering, Fluid Bed Dryer, Fluid Bed Coater, Sifter & Blender, Extruder and Twin spheronizer.