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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 · 85 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.

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

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

Phase 2A Proof-of-Concept Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Nicotinamide in Early Alzheimer Disease.

Nicotinamide modulates gut microbial metabolic potential and accelerates recovery in mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention in Transplant Recipients.

Efficacy of intermittent topical 5-fluorouracil 5% and oral nicotinamide in the skin field cancerization: a randomized clinical trial.

Effect of scheduled antimicrobial and nicotinamide treatment on linear growth in children in rural Tanzania: A factorial randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Cognitive Outcomes at 18 Months: Findings from the Early Life Interventions for Childhood Growth and Development in Tanzania (ELICIT) Trial.

Long-Term Outcomes of Radical Radiation Therapy with Hypoxia Modification with Biomarker Discovery for Stratification: 10-Year Update of the BCON (Bladder Carbogen Nicotinamide) Phase 3 Randomized Trial (ISRCTN45938399).

Topical niacinamide enhances hydrophobicity and resilience of corneocyte envelopes on different facial locations.

Cosmetic benefits of a novel biomimetic lamellar formulation containing niacinamide in healthy females with oily, blemish-prone skin in a randomized proof-of-concept study.

Correlation of changes in HIF-1α and p53 expressions with vitamin B3 deficiency in skin cancer patients.

Does the Administration of Sevelamer or Nicotinamide Modify Uremic Toxins or Endotoxemia in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients?

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

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

Efficacy and safety of nicotinamide in haemodialysis patients: the NICOREN study.

Efficacy and safety of nicotinamide in the management of hyperphosphatemia in pediatric patients on regular hemodialysis.

A phase II randomized controlled trial of nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention in renal transplant recipients.