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Glite Dictionary
nicotinic acid

nicotinic acid

4.4
A form of vitamin B3 the body needs for healthy nerves and digestion
  • noun
  • /ˌnɪkəˈtɪnɪk ˈæsɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ácido nicotínico
  • Ezetimibe, fibrates, anion exchange resins, and nicotinic acid should be considered only where statins are contraindicated or not tolerated.

Examples

  • The mayor of Cesena (1939a) responded by making sure that the hospital had a reserve of nicotinic acid, which Neri and his family would receive along with dietary supplements including milk and bread.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The doctor explained that nicotinic acid is essential for normal nerve function in the body.

  • If the patient is also taking aspirin, taking the aspirin 30 minutes before the nicotinic acid may help.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Ezetimibe, fibrates, nicotinic acid, and bile acid sequestrants may also be considered in secondary prevention or in cases of statin intolerance.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Patients are often prescribed nicotinic acid to help enhance their digestive health.

  • A balanced diet incorporating nicotinic acid can promote the effective functioning of both nerves and digestion.

Synonyms

niacin
vsnicotinic acid
  • Specialized
4 4.1

A vitamin that helps the body turn food into energy and keeps nerves and digestion healthy

is a specific chemical form of that vitamin rather than the general nutrient

Surface Forms

nicotinic acid singular
nicotinic acids plural

Morphology

nicotinic + acid

The compound is partly transparent in that a learner who knows 'nicotinic' (related to nicotine) and 'acid' will infer it is a chemical acid associated with nicotine. However, the precise meaning — that it is actually niacin/vitamin B3 and an essential nutrient — is technical and not predictable from the constituents alone, so prior subject knowledge is needed.

Etymology

Nicotinic acid gets its name from nicotine (the substance in tobacco) and the word acid. Scientists first made this vitamin by changing nicotine into an acid, so the old name stayed and today it means 'vitamin B3'.