Is vitamin B3 safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

Nicotinamide has been taken by many pregnant women and women of childbearing age without an increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the foetus having been observed. It’s safe for your baby if you take this supplement while breastfeeding.

In April 2024, researchers discovered an association between high doses of niacin (a form of vitamin B3) and elevated levels of proteins that can cause inflammation of blood vessels, potentially leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke or thrombosis.

Pregnancy makes the blood more likely to clot. It’s possible that the combination of pregnancy and high-dose vitamin B3 treatment may increase the likelihood of cardiovascular issues, but this has not been proven. We recommend that pregnant women take this into account when deciding whether to take vitamin B3. If you decide not to take oral vitamin B3, topical vitamin B3 (niacinamide) products may be a good substitute.