Niacin to foil drug test can be toxic
|
| Posted
:
Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:22:01 GMT |
| By
:
Health News Editor |
| Category
:
Health |
| News Alerts by
Email ( click
here ) |
|
|
|
|
|
PHILADELPHIA, April 12 Excessive doses of niacin, or vitamin B3, taken in an attempt to defeat drug screening tests can result in toxic side effects, say U.S. researchers.Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania reported two adults and two adolescents suffered toxic side effects from taking large amounts of niacin in attempts to foil urine drug tests.The study, published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, reported the adult patients suffered skin irritation, while the adolescents had potentially life-threatening reactions, including liver toxicity and hypoglycemia, as well as nausea, vomiting and dizziness.The four patients recovered after treatment in hospital emergency rooms, said study leader Dr. Manoj K. Mittal, a fellow in Emergency Medicine at Children's Hospital."Because niacin is known to affect metabolic processes, there is a completely unfounded claim that it can rapidly clear the body of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine," Mittal said in a statement. "However, niacin is toxic when taken in large amounts." Copyright 2007 by UPI
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related News
Czech Republic starts swine flu vaccination
Prague - The Czech Republic began Monday vaccinating a portion of its population against the so-called swine flu in a bid to ease a looming epidemic, health officials said. The efforts against the H1N1 influenza virus began with some hospitals vaccin...
Lithuania confirms second swine flu fatality
Vilnius - Health officials in Lithuania confirmed Monday that the country had recorded its second death linked to the A/H1N1 flu virus, known commonly as swine flu. The victim was a 41-year-old man from the eastern city of Ignalina who had been admit...
Taiwan unveils flush toilet that records user's health data
Taipei - A group of Taiwan university students have invented a flush toilet which not only accept humane waste, but also gives something back. The toilet bowl invented by students from the Kun Shan University and Southern Taiwan University measures t...
Separated twins progressing well in Australia
Sydney - The Bangladeshi conjoined twins separated in a marathon operation in Australia last week were out of intensive care and in an ordinary ward in Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital Monday. We are very pleased the girls have been moved, said...
Pregnant women should check their blood iron levels
Munich - Exhaustion and paleness during pregnancy are an indication that the mother-to-be has an iron deficiency, Germany's association of gynaecologists said. Brittle hair and splitting skin in the corners of the mouth are other indications, said Ch...
Vaccine may be in offing for child-killer malaria
Nairobi - Patricia Njuguna knows all too well the suffering of her little patients at the children's clinic in Kilifi. Every day I have severe cases of malaria: children with high fever and convulsions, children who go into a coma, the paediatricia...
Alcohol and obesity leading causes of fatty liver
Cologne, Germany - It's tempting to eat heartily in the bitter cold of winter and the holidays seem like a perfect time to knock back a few drinks. But regular consumption of excess calories and more damaging substances than the liver can process can...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
