Toxicity From the Use of Niacin to Beat Urine Drug Screening

Manoj K. Mittal; Todd Florin; Jeanmarie Perrone; João H. Delgado; Kevin C. Osterhoudt

doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.01.014

Toxicity From the Use of Niacin to Beat Urine Drug Screening

Manoj K. Mittal^*, Todd Florin, Jeanmarie Perrone, João H. Delgado, Kevin C. Osterhoudt

^*Corresponding author for this work

Pediatrics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Niacin (vitamin B3) is promoted for rapidly clearing the body of drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and cannabis, and is alleged to interfere with urine drug screening. We present 4 cases of such novel use associated with significant adverse effects. Two cases had isolated skin manifestations, whereas the other 2 presented with life-threatening manifestations, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hepatotoxicity, metabolic acidosis, and hypoglycemia evolving into hyperglycemia. One patient also had profound neutrophilia and QT_C-interval prolongation. All patients improved after cessation of the drug use and supportive treatment. Health care providers should be aware of these potential adverse effects of niacin and of the misguided use of this vitamin by patients seeking to interfere with urine drug screening.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	587-590
Number of pages	4
Journal	Annals of Emergency Medicine
Volume	50
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.01.014
State	Published - Nov 1 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Emergency Medicine

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10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.01.014

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abstract = "Niacin (vitamin B3) is promoted for rapidly clearing the body of drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and cannabis, and is alleged to interfere with urine drug screening. We present 4 cases of such novel use associated with significant adverse effects. Two cases had isolated skin manifestations, whereas the other 2 presented with life-threatening manifestations, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hepatotoxicity, metabolic acidosis, and hypoglycemia evolving into hyperglycemia. One patient also had profound neutrophilia and QTC-interval prolongation. All patients improved after cessation of the drug use and supportive treatment. Health care providers should be aware of these potential adverse effects of niacin and of the misguided use of this vitamin by patients seeking to interfere with urine drug screening.",

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Toxicity From the Use of Niacin to Beat Urine Drug Screening

Abstract

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