Background

• 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).

References

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• Cucinotta D, Silvestrini C, Mancini, M, et al. [Experience with the medical treatment of chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency: bamethan and inositol nicotinate versus placebo]. G Clin Med 1981;62(5):339-350.
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• Dorner V, Fischer FW. The influence of m-inositol hexanicotinate ester on the serum lipids and lipoproteins. Arzneim-Frosch 1961;11:110-113.
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• Hentzer E. [Treatment of peripheral arterial insufficiency with inositol nicotinate (Hexanicit)]. Nord Med 1966;76(38):1090-1093.
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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.
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• Hutt V, Wechsler JG, Klor HU, et al. [Effect of a clofibrate-inositol nicotinate combination on lipids and lipoproteins in primary hyperlipoproteinemia of types IIa, IV and V]. Arzneimittelforschung 1983;33(5):776-779.
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• Kiff RS, Quick CR. Does inositol nicotinate (Hexopal) influence intermittent claudication? A controlled trial. Br J Clin Pract 1988;42(4):141-145.
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• Kramer KD, Ghabussi P, Hochrein H. [Antihypertensive combination-therapy with inositol nicotinate in essential hypertension]. Med Welt 1977;28(27):1198-1201.
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• Kramer KD, Ghabussi P, Lehmann HU, et al. [Dose-effect comparison of antihypertensive combinations with and without alpha-methyldopa]. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr. 1975;117(14):579-582.
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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.
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• 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.
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• Rhodes EL. Fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of necrobiosis lipoidica. Br J Dermatol 1976;95:673-674.
• Schwartzkopff W, Zschiedrich M. [Combination or monotherapy of hyperlipoproteinemia typus IIb, IV, V with clofibrate and m-inositolnicotinate or clofibrinic acid (author's transl)]. Med Klin 1978;73(7):231-239.
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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.
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