Nicotinamide riboside (NR): dosing
> Updated:
Human schedule
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is an NAD+ precursor taken orally in studies (capsules/powder), with or without food. The below is a generalized reference drawn from published clinical trials and protocols, not an individual prescription.
This is a concise reference to regimens described for adults; it is not an individual prescription.
Nicotinamide riboside dosing was tested at three tiers in a clinical study, 100 mg, 300 mg, and 1,000 mg, and the highest dose raised NAD+ in blood cells by about 1.5-fold.
| Period / condition | Dose | Escalation |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 250-300 mg per day | Starting dose |
| Typical regimen | 500-600 mg per day (once or split into 2) | Increase if needed |
| High-dose research | 1000-2000 mg per day | Maximum in this schedule |
Practical dosing and effect details
The dose-dependent effect of nicotinamide riboside on NAD+ levels was studied by Trammell and colleagues (Nature Communications, 2016) in a randomized double-blind trial of 12 healthy adults: single oral doses of 100 mg, 300 mg, and 1,000 mg were compared. At the 1,000 mg dose, NAD+ in blood mononuclear cells rose from roughly 12 to roughly 18 micromolar, about a 1.5-fold increase. Those three tested doses (100, 300, 1,000 mg) line up closely with the three tiers on this page: a 250-300 mg starting range, a 500-600 mg typical range, and 1,000-2,000 mg for high-dose research. The researchers also noted the effect kept rising with dose across the tested range, with no sign of a plateau at 1,000 mg. The NAD+ rise from a single dose fades over time, which is why NR protocols typically use it daily rather than as a one-off. This is reference information for planning a research protocol, not a medical recommendation and not instructions for self-administration.
This reference is research-use material. The information is not medical advice and is not intended for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease.