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NAM5.5

Nicotinamide Research

Probably helps

98 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Nicotinamide studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1980–2026 with a typical study size of 43 participants.

Based on 98 studies · 4 meta-analyses · 86 RCTs · 8,363 total participants

Confidence

High confidence

What the studies found

1helped1unclear· 96 more without graded effect data

By outcome

Skin cancer & dermatologyReduces new non-melanoma skin cancers and actinic keratoses in high-risk skin; long use in acne · 3-6 months (chemoprevention); 8 weeks (acne)
Mostly mechanism / observational15 studies
Kidney & renal health
Mostly mechanism / observational10 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
NAD+ & healthspan (unproven)Replenishes NAD+ in theory, but a human longevity benefit from NAD+ precursors is unproven · Ongoing
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies

Steady research

24 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025

198020032026

1Meta-Analysis2018

Zhang Y, Ma T, Zhang P · Medicine (Baltimore) (2018)

Nicotinamide Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Efficacy and safety of nicotinamide on phosphorus metabolism in hemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysis of nicotinamide treatment in patients with recent-onset IDDM. The Nicotinamide Trialists.

Nicotinamide Therapy in Dialysis Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Evidence-based topical treatments (azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulfur, zinc, and fruit acid) for acne: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review.

The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer.

Vitamin E and nicotinamide have similar effects in maintaining residual beta cell function in recent onset insulin-dependent diabetes (the IMDIAB IV study).

Topical clindamycin 1% vs. linoleic acid-rich phosphatidylcholine and nicotinamide 4% in the treatment of acne: a multicentre-randomized trial.

Accelerated radiotherapy with carbogen and nicotinamide for laryngeal cancer: results of a phase III randomized trial.

Nicotinamide protected first-phase insulin response (FPIR) and prevented clinical disease in first-degree relatives of type-1 diabetics.

Hypoxic radiosensitizers in radical radiotherapy for patients with bladder carcinoma: hyperbaric oxygen, misonidazole, and accelerated radiotherapy, carbogen, and nicotinamide.

Accelerated radiotherapy, carbogen and nicotinamide (ARCON) in locally advanced head and neck cancer: a feasibility study.

[Info-congress. Study of the prevention of type 1 diabetes with nicotinamide: positive lessons of a negative clinical trial (ENDIT)].

A multi-centre randomized trial of two different doses of nicotinamide in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (the IMDIAB VI).

Influence of niacinamide containing formulations on the molecular and biophysical properties of the stratum corneum.

Nicotinamide reduces photodynamic therapy-induced immunosuppression in humans.

Effects of Nicotinamide and Lanthanum Carbonate on Serum Phosphate and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 in CKD: The COMBINE Trial.

Radiotherapy with concurrent carbogen and nicotinamide in bladder carcinoma.

Residual B cell activity and insulin requirements in insulin-dependent diabetic patients treated from the beginning with high doses of nicotinamide. A two-year follow-up.

Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-undecyl-10-enoyl-L-phenylalanine and its combination with niacinamide.

Prevention of non-melanoma skin cancers with nicotinamide in transplant recipients: a case-control study.