Nicotinyl alcohol

Nicotinyl alcohol (also known as pyridylcarbinol) is a niacin derivative used as a hypolipidemic agent. It is a compound that is part of the pyridine family, which is a class of organic compounds.

Etymology

The term "Nicotinyl" is derived from "Nicotinic acid", a type of B vitamin, and "alcohol", referring to the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group in the compound. The term "pyridylcarbinol" is derived from "pyridine", a basic heterocyclic organic compound, and "carbinol", an old term for methanol.

Chemical Structure

Nicotinyl alcohol is a pyridine derivative, meaning it is part of a class of organic compounds that contain a six-membered ring with two nitrogen atoms and four carbon atoms. The presence of the hydroxyl (-OH) group classifies it as an alcohol.

Medical Uses

Nicotinyl alcohol is used as a hypolipidemic agent, meaning it is used to lower the levels of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood. It is often used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids or lipoproteins in the blood.

Related Terms

• Hyperlipidemia
• Lipid
• Lipoprotein
• Pyridine
• Nicotinic acid
• Alcohol

See Also

• List of hypolipidemic agents
• List of niacin derivatives

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