Nicotinamide (Glaucomin)

[Macdonald5]

My father has glaucoma and has poor sight. I have been aware that nicotinamide (vitamin B3) might be beneficial for him. I searched for a reliable source of the correct dose but though there were a lot of products on Amazon etc I didn't feel I could trust them. Recently his specialist recommended he take Glaucomin. This is nicotinamide at the correct dose but most importantly made in the UK.

My father has been on the tablets twice a day for his the last two months. He has had no side effects and thinks his vision is definitely clearer.

I thought I had better share this information with those who might be looking for nicotinamide. You can only get it directly from the website (as far as I know) here: penlanhealthcare.com/produc...

I hope this helps people.

[Rainyday2024]

Thank you for your very helpful advice. I currently take some “super strength lutein” tablets which I purchase online from Nature’s Best, but will now look into maybe purchasing some of the tablets you recommend.

[Blindbatuk]

I’m unsure why you don’t trust the sellers on Amazon? They are also manufactured in the UK, have great feedback across many products and are better value per dose.

Great to hear positive feedback on the supplements.

I’ve read that it’s best to also take Pyruvate supplements together with the B3.

Can’t wait to read more on how the longer term trials are going and what the experts deduce from that for the rest of us.

[Macdonald5 in reply to Blindbatuk]

Yes, as I understand it (I could very well be wrong) the supplements are sold from the UK but made in China or India. But my main thought was that as they are made in the UK there shouldn't be a problem with continued supply.

After doing some research my main reason for getting my father the Glaucomin is that they are 750mg so he only has to take twice a day. From my understanding of the trials so far 750mg twice a day is the minimum dose they have used. A lot of the other supplements were lower strength so many more tablets needed per day. He is not great at taking tablets so would have refused to take 5-6 a day.

I might be mistaken but its a months supply so overall cheaper than multiple tablets which could run out before the month.

Yes I saw pyruvate but that was only one trial so I am not sure yet. With the nicotinamide there have been a few trials. Unfortunately the really big trials will not report for years as far as I can see. I doubt my father will be around in years so I thought best to start him now and he certainly feels they have benefited him.

[PBX142]

Thank you for the info...My consultant at Moorfields recommended Nicotinamide, 500g daily, because she said trials looked promising, but since then - about a year ago - I keep reading about how nicotinamide can cause different kinds of cancer. So I've stopped. Who knows.

[Macdonald5 in reply to PBX142]

Yes I saw this but when I looked at the clinical trials it looked liked it was been used to prevent skin cancer so I wasn't too worried. The trials are 750mg twice a day and then doubling so 750 seems to be the minimum dose I guess.

I should add that my father has, unfortunately, early Alzheimers and I saw one of the trials was using nicotinamide for this.

[PBX142]

Interesting about preventing skin cancer...honestly I don't know and the more I read the more confused I get. I'm sorry to read about your father. In your position I would do the same.

[Blindbatuk]

Health4All say their tablets are manufactured the UK and they cost either £10 or £14 (depending on tablet or capsule format) for 180 pills (500mg each) so that works out at just three tablets a day for 1500Mg versus two of the Glaucomin tablets. It’s much cheaper for 1500mg of the Health4All tablets than the Glaucomin ones.

I’m waiting to discuss taking these supplements with my eye consultant at my next visit. I’m

Not sure I’d be comfortable taking a high dose until the trials are published but I’m not adverse to taking 1500mg a day in the meantime if my specialist agrees.

[Macdonald5]

I might have got the numbers wrong but the Glaucomin is 12.99 for a months supply. I think they might be cheaper on the Butterflies website but not sure about delivery. If the trials report as an even higher dose at least he only has to take 4 a day rather than 6 or more. I am, as you can see, quite fixed on the number of tablets as he is somewhat resistant!

[FarReuth]

Hi, Sorry to hear of your father's difficulties. I lost my mum earlier this year with dementia.

I've been taking nicotinamide since beginning of year, after hearing of trials being done at Moorfields. I recently had an appointment at Moorfields about a month ago, and I asked about the nicotinamide.

My understanding (confirmed by consultant at appointment) is the dose is 3 grams per day of nicotinamide. I asked if there's any particular brand and he just referred me to amazon or holland and barrett.

The link you shared for glaucomin is interesting, thanks.

I had not heard of pyruvate, again that's interesting. The consultant at Moorfields didn't mention these alternatives. He did switch me to preservative free though, as I get eye irritation and skin rashes from the regular drops.

The drops I understand, although reducing eye pressure, may not necessarily stop the deterioration of vision: I've lost quite a bit of peripheral vision in one eye. To prevent further loss, I'm willing to try nicotinamide - what have I got to lose.

Best wishes,

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello. Thanks for sharing this. It is best to speak to your consultant before purchasing this or any other type of nicotinamide, to get their professional opinion. The trials are still ongoing for the next 2 years to study the effectiveness of this supplement in people with glaucoma, and it’s not yet proven to be effective.

However, this is good information to know if someone's consultant has recommended that they take this dosage. We often get queries asking for a recommended brand, but there isn't any specific one we recommend. However, I would urge caution as the studies are using higher dosages (up to 3g) but they are being closely monitored for any adverse side effects. Consultants do not usually suggest that people take such high doses of nicotinamide. Some only suggest taking 100mg, while others suggest higher.

We have heard of some people who experience other side effects. This is not to scare anyone off from taking this, but just to be sensible and careful, as more is not always better. As mentioned, it is best to get your consultant’s professional opinion before starting this supplement.

[Macdonald5 in reply to KieranGlaucomaUK]

Thank you. My father has appointment with the eye consultant next week. I will ask the consultant what he thinks about nicotinamide and report back on this forum.