Quick answer
NIH's upper limits for niacin from supplements rise with age: 10 mg a day at ages 1 to 3, 15 at 4 to 8, 20 at 9 to 13 and 30 at 14 to 18. A prescription niacin label says safety in patients 16 and under has not been established. Ask a pediatrician first.1,2,3
Key facts
- NIH's upper limits for niacin from supplements are 10 mg a day at ages 1 to 3, 15 at 4 to 8, 20 at 9 to 13 and 30 at 14 to 18.1,2
- No upper limit is established for infants, because breast milk, formula and food should be their only sources of niacin.2
- The label of a prescription niacin tablet says safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients 16 and under have not been established.3
- The upper limits are set at the level linked to flushing, and they do not apply to niacin taken under medical supervision.2
- Niacin that occurs naturally in food has not been reported to cause harm, and the limits count only supplements and medicines.2
What are NIH's upper limits for children and teens?
The limits apply to niacin from dietary supplements and medicines. They are set at the level associated with flushing and cover both nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. The table is the clearest official statement on how much is too much at each age.1,2
| Age | Upper limit a day |
|---|---|
| Birth to 12 months | None established |
| 1 to 3 years | 10 mg |
| 4 to 8 years | 15 mg |
| 9 to 13 years | 20 mg |
| 14 to 18 years | 30 mg |
Niacin that occurs naturally in food has not been reported to cause harm. The upper limit counts only niacin from supplements and medicines.1,2
What does the prescription niacin label say about children?
The label of a prescription niacin tablet says safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients 16 and under have not been established, and its patient leaflet says it is not known whether the tablets are safe and effective in children of that age. These statements are about medicine doses, which are far higher than the amounts in a multivitamin.3
What effects do children and teens notice first?
The first effect noticed at higher amounts is flushing, in which the skin of the face, arms and chest turns red and can burn, tingle and itch. NIH calls it unpleasant rather than toxic, and notes that the upper limits were set at the level where it starts. The sources checked do not give separate side-effect data for children.2
Nicotinic acid at 30 to 50 mg or more often causes flushing: the skin of the face, arms and chest turns red and can burn, tingle and itch. It usually passes and is considered unpleasant rather than toxic.1,2
The sources checked report no trials of niacin supplements in healthy children, so the limits rest on the flushing threshold and on adult data.2
What do the sources not say?
NIH's fact sheets do not address whether a child's niacin from a multivitamin and from fortified foods adds up in a way that matters. The sources checked also give no information on niacin for children with any particular health condition. That is not a finding either way, and a pediatrician is the person to ask.1,2
Who should ask a doctor before a child or teen takes niacin?
- A pediatrician, before giving any niacin supplement to a child.1,3
- A doctor or pharmacist, for a teen who takes a prescription medicine, since NIH lists statins, blood thinners and blood pressure medicines among the cautions.2
- A doctor, for any child or teen with liver disease, a stomach ulcer or diabetes.4
- A pharmacist, to add up niacin from a multivitamin, an energy or sports product and fortified foods against the limit for the child's age.1,2
Questions people ask
Is niacin safe for kids?
NIH sets upper limits for niacin from supplements of 10 mg a day at ages 1 to 3, 15 at 4 to 8 and 20 at 9 to 13, and none for infants. The prescription label says safety in patients 16 and under has not been established. Ask a pediatrician.1,2,3
Is niacin safe for teens?
NIH's upper limit for ages 14 to 18 is 30 mg a day from supplements and medicines, set at the level linked to flushing. Ask a doctor if a teen takes a prescription medicine.1,2
Is niacin good for teens?
NIH lists recommended amounts for teen boys and girls, and the sources checked report no trials of niacin supplements in healthy teens. Ask a doctor about any particular reason for taking one.1
Is niacin ok for kids?
NIH says niacin that occurs naturally in food has not been reported to cause harm, and the limits count only supplements and medicines. Ask a pediatrician before giving a supplement.2
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Sources
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Niacin: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Updated March 22, 2021. Opened 2026-10-07.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Niacin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated November 18, 2022. Opened 2026-10-07.
- Niacin extended-release tablets: prescribing information and patient information (Amneal Pharmaceuticals). DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Published September 18, 2026. Opened 2026-10-07.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Niacin: drug information (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists). Last revised April 15, 2026. Opened 2026-10-07.
This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.