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Dietary supplement

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Flush Free Niacin 500 mg against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for cholesterol support, improving circulation, raynaud's phenomenon.Based on those ingredients, 223 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Inositol Hexaniacinate. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 30, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: inositol hexaniacinate, a form of niacin (vitamin B3) that your body converts to standard niacin. It's designed to deliver niacin's benefits while reducing the flushing — the uncomfortable heat and redness — that regular niacin often causes.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients: rice flour, gelatin, magnesium stearate, and silica.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Supports cardiovascular health and carbohydrate metabolism.
  • We looked for evidence on: Hyperlipidemia, Intermittent claudication, Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), Raynaud syndrome, cholesterol, circulation.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Inositol Nicotinate is rated "Possibly Effective" for Raynaud syndrome (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Inositol Nicotinate is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Hyperlipidemia, Intermittent claudication.

Inositol hexaniacinate is possibly effective for Raynaud syndrome (a condition where blood vessels overreact to cold or stress). For scleroderma, intermittent claudication, psoriasis, restless legs syndrome, and migraine headache, the evidence we have isn't strong enough to rate whether it works.

If you're considering this for one of those conditions, talk with your doctor about whether the evidence supports it for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Inositol Nicotinate

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Inositol hexaniacinate is generally well tolerated short-term, though evidence is limited. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal — nausea, vomiting, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation.

Taking it with food or antacids may reduce these, and they typically fade within two weeks. Since niacin can affect liver function and glucose tolerance (especially at higher doses), caution is warranted with long-term use.

The product facts note that safety data is limited and recommend avoiding it unless your doctor directs otherwise.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Inositol Nicotinate

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Inositol Nicotinate.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 223 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you take this, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (increased bleeding risk), diabetes medications (may raise blood sugar), statins (muscle injury risk), or nicotine patches (increased flushing and dizziness). These are the main medication types that interact with inositol hexaniacinate.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This supplement may help with Raynaud syndrome, but evidence for other uses is lacking. If you take blood thinners, diabetes medications, statins, or nicotine patches, you'll need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — the interactions are documented and worth discussing.

Even without drug interactions, talk it over with your healthcare provider to make sure this fits your situation.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Flush Free Niacin 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614210216
Net contents 240 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2019
DSLD ID 204316
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614210216
IngredientAmount% DV
Inositol Hexaniacinate500 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Silica

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Supports cardiovascular health Promotes carbohydrate metabolism Science-backed quality since 1969

Cardiovascular health

500 mg per capsule

Formula

Formulated to eliminate the natural flushing effects of niacin

Inositol Hexaniacinate

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule three times per day with food and water.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

Consult physician before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Inositol Hexaniacinate

Interacts with
223 drugs
500 mg per serving

Inositol nicotinate is a 'no-flush' form of niacin marketed for cholesterol and circulation. Evidence that it works as well as regular niacin is weak...

Inositol Hexaniacinate monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Flush Free Niacin 500 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
223Drugs
223 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Inositol Hexaniacinate 223

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Flush Free Niacin 500 mg interact with 223 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Flush Free Niacin 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Inositol Hexaniacinate

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Flush Free Niacin 500 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Inositol Hexaniacinate4 drug types · 223 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of inositol nicotinate with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding.
Inositol nicotinate has fibrinolytic effects, which may increase the risk of bleeding when used concomitantly with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, inositol nicotinate might increase blood glucose levels and may diminish the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Inositol nicotinate is metabolized to niacin in the body. Niacin can cause hyperglycemia, abnormal glucose tolerance, and glycosuria. Increased blood glucose monitoring may be necessary, particularly early in the course of treatment.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Hmg-Coa Reductase Inhibitors ("Statins")

Theoretically, concomitant use of inositol nicotinate and statins might increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
Inositol nicotinate is metabolized to niacin in the body. Some case reports have raised concerns that niacin might increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when combined with statins However, a significantly increased risk of myopathy has not been demonstrated in clinical trials.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Transdermal Nicotine (Nicoderm)

Theoretically, concomitant use of inositol nicotinate and transdermal nicotine might increase the risk of flushing and dizziness.
Inositol nicotinate is metabolized to niacin in the body. Inositol nicotinate and nicotine can both cause flushing and dizziness.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Inositol Hexaniacinate full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Flush Free Niacin 500 mg, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Flush Free Niacin 500 mg by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Flush Free Niacin 500 mg has a known interaction with 223 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Flush Free Niacin 500 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this actually reduce niacin flushing?
That's the design — inositol hexaniacinate is formulated to deliver niacin's benefits with less of the uncomfortable flushing that regular niacin causes. Still, some people report flushing and dizziness as side effects, especially if they're also using nicotine patches.
What are the most common side effects?
Gastrointestinal complaints are most common: nausea, vomiting, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation. Taking it with meals or antacids can help, and these usually settle within two weeks of regular use.
Can I take this if I have diabetes?
Niacin can raise blood glucose and impair glucose tolerance, especially at higher doses. Since inositol hexaniacinate is converted to niacin in your body, it may do the same. Talk with your doctor before starting, and if you do take it, you'll likely need more frequent blood sugar monitoring.
Is it safe to use long-term?
The safety data is limited, and high-dose niacin compounds can affect the liver. The product facts advise caution for long-term use and recommend talking with your doctor before taking it regularly.
What is inositol hexaniacinate?
It's a form of niacin (vitamin B3) that your body converts to regular niacin. The inositol coating is meant to slow the release and reduce the flushing side effect compared to plain niacin.
Is there enough safety information for pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The product facts don't provide safety data for pregnancy or lactation. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this supplement is right for you.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Flush Free Niacin 500 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Inositol Nicotinate

Interacts with 223 drugs

Inositol nicotinate is a 'no-flush' form of niacin marketed for cholesterol and circulation. Evidence that it works as well as regular niacin is weak and inconsistent, and it is not a proven...

Read the full Inositol Nicotinate monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Flush Free Niacin 500 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 21 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Inositol Nicotinate 21 references
  1. Anon. Inositol hexaniacinate. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:222-3.
  2. 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;7:473-83. PubMed
  3. Knodel LC, Talbert RL. Adverse effects of hypolipidaemic drugs. Med Toxicol 1987;2:10-32. PubMed
  4. Gibbons LW, Gonzalez V, Gordon N, Grundy S. The prevalence of side effects with regular and sustained-release nicotinic acid. Am J Med 1995;99:378-85. PubMed
  5. Crouse JR III. New developments in the use of niacin for treatment of hyperlipidemia: new considerations in the use of an old drug. Coron Artery Dis 1996;7:321-6. PubMed
  6. Garg A, Grundy SM. Nicotinic acid as therapy for dyslipidemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. JAMA 1990;264:723-6. DOI
  7. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. ASHP Therapeutic Position Statement on the safe use of niacin in the management of dyslipidemias. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1997;54:2815-9. DOI
  8. Guyton JR, Goldberg AC, Kreisberg RA, et al. Effectiveness of once-nightly dosing of extended-release niacin alone and in combination for hypercholesterolemia. Am J Cardiol 1998;82:737-43.
  9. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline (2000). Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2000. Available at: http://b
  10. Brown BG, Zhao XQ, Chait A, et al. Simvastatin and niacin, antioxidant vitamins, or the combination for the prevention of coronary disease. N Engl J Med 2001;345:1583-93. DOI
  11. Bays HE, Dujovne CA. Drug interactions of lipid-altering drugs. Drug Saf 1998;19:355-71. PubMed
  12. Figge HL, Figge J, Souney PF, et al. Nicotinic acid: a review of its clinical use in the treatment of lipid disorders. Pharmacotherapy 1988;8:287-94. PubMed
  13. McKenney J. New perspectives on the use of niacin in the treatment of lipid disorders. Arch Intern Med 2004;164:697-705. PubMed
  14. Reaven P, Witztum JL. Lovastatin, nicotinic acid and rhabdomyolysis (letter). Ann Int Med 1988;109:597-8. PubMed
  15. Ito MK. Advances in the understanding and management of dyslipidemia: using niacin-based therapies. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2003;60(suppl 2):s15-21. PubMed
  16. Garnett WR. Interactions with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 1995;52(15):1639-45. PubMed
  17. Andersson RG, Aberg G, Brattsand R, Ericsson E, Lundholm L. Studies on the mechanism of flush induced by nicotinic acid. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh). 1977 Jul;41(1):1-10. PubMed
  18. Brown WV. Niacin for lipid disorders. Indications, effectiveness, and safety. Postgrad Med. 1995 Aug;98(2):185-9, 192-3. PubMed
  19. Aramwit P, Srisawadwong R, Supasyndh O. Effectiveness and safety of extended-release nicotinic acid for reducing serum phosphorus in hemodialysis patients. J Nephrol. 2012 May-Jun;25(3):354-62. PubMed
  20. He YM, Feng L, Huo DM, Yang ZH, Liao YH. Benefits and harm of niacin and its analog for renal dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urol Nephrol. 2014 Feb;46(2):433-42. PubMed
  21. Schandelmaier S, Briel M, Saccilotto R, Olu KK, Arpagaus A, Hemkens LG, Nordmann AJ. Niacin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jun 14;6:CD009744. PubMed

See these in context on the Inositol Nicotinate monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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