Is Pantothenic Acid a Vitamin B3?

January 14, 2026 •

3 min read

While both are essential B-complex nutrients, a common misconception is that pantothenic acid is a vitamin B3. In fact, pantothenic acid is correctly identified as vitamin B5, and it has a different set of functions and sources than vitamin B3, also known as niacin. This distinction is crucial for understanding how each vitamin contributes to your overall health.

Quick Summary

Pantothenic acid is vitamin B5, while vitamin B3 is niacin. They are separate B vitamins with distinct functions in metabolism, energy production, and overall health.

Key Points

Not a B3 Vitamin: Pantothenic acid is vitamin B5, while vitamin B3 is called niacin.
Role in Coenzyme A: Vitamin B5 is crucial for synthesizing coenzyme A, essential for metabolizing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Forms NAD and NADP: Vitamin B3 is a precursor for NAD and NADP, coenzymes involved in over 400 metabolic reactions.
Differing Health Effects: B5 is linked to hormone production and skin health, while B3 influences nerve function and, in high doses, cholesterol levels.
Pellagra vs. Neurological Symptoms: Severe niacin (B3) deficiency can cause pellagra, while pantothenic acid (B5) deficiency, though rare, can cause neurological symptoms like tingling feet.
The B-Complex Family: Both B5 and B3 are part of the larger B-complex family and often work together in the body, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet.

What is Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)?

Pantothenic acid, commonly known as vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for a variety of metabolic functions. Its name, derived from the Greek word "pantos," meaning "everywhere," reflects its presence in nearly all foods. The primary role of vitamin B5 is in the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA), a crucial molecule in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy. It also plays a part in the synthesis of cholesterol and hormones.

Functions of Pantothenic Acid:

Energy Production: A component of coenzyme A, which helps convert food into energy.
Hormone and Cholesterol Synthesis: Involved in the production of vital hormones and cholesterol.
Fatty Acid Metabolism: Plays a critical role in both the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids.
Skin Health: Contributes to the maintenance of healthy skin.

Sources of Pantothenic Acid:

Meat (especially beef, chicken, and organ meats)
Whole grains and legumes
Vegetables (e.g., broccoli, mushrooms, sweet potatoes)
Dairy and eggs

What is Niacin (Vitamin B3)?

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is another water-soluble B vitamin, consisting of two main chemical forms: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. It is also converted in the body into the coenzymes NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). These coenzymes are vital for over 400 enzymatic reactions, primarily those involved in converting food into energy.

Functions of Niacin:

Energy Conversion: Forms NAD and NADP, which are essential for releasing energy from fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
DNA Repair: Involved in DNA creation and repair.
Cellular Communication: Plays a role in cellular communication and antioxidant function.
Skin and Nerve Health: Supports healthy skin and nervous system function.
Cholesterol Management: High doses of niacin (nicotinic acid form) have been used under medical supervision to lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol and raise HDL ('good') cholesterol.

Sources of Niacin:

Poultry and red meat
Fish (e.g., tuna, salmon)
Legumes and peanuts
Fortified cereals
Nuts

Comparison of Pantothenic Acid (B5) and Niacin (B3)


Feature	Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)	Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Primary Role	Component of Coenzyme A (CoA), crucial for all metabolic processes.	Forms NAD and NADP, central to energy transfer reactions.
Energy Metabolism	Involved in the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids.	Key for releasing energy from macronutrients.
Hormone Production	Necessary for synthesizing steroid hormones and cholesterol.	Supports the conversion of food into energy, but not directly involved in hormone synthesis.
Skin Benefits	Acts as an anti-inflammatory and supports skin moisture (as panthenol).	Supports healthy skin and, as nicotinamide, may help with certain skin conditions.
Deficiency Symptoms	Rare, but can include tingling feet, fatigue, and headaches.	Can lead to pellagra (diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia) in severe cases.

The Importance of the B-Complex

While it is clear that pantothenic acid is not vitamin B3, it is also important to remember they both belong to the B-complex family. The B vitamins often work together in the body, which is why a deficiency in one can sometimes impact the function of another. Most people get adequate amounts of both B5 and B3 through a balanced diet, but specific conditions or dietary restrictions can increase the need for supplementation.

Understanding the individual roles of these vitamins, rather than confusing them, allows for more targeted nutritional approaches. For example, a person concerned with skin health might focus on both niacin (as nicotinamide) and pantothenic acid (as panthenol). Similarly, someone with a diagnosed niacin deficiency would need to specifically supplement with B3, not B5.

Conclusion

To put the matter to rest: pantothenic acid is vitamin B5, and it is a distinctly different nutrient from niacin, which is vitamin B3. While both are water-soluble B vitamins that play vital roles in metabolism and energy production, their specific coenzyme functions and health effects differ significantly. This clarification reinforces the importance of balanced nutrition and the need to correctly identify each vitamin to understand its unique contribution to our health.

Is pantothenic acid a vitamin B3? No, they are different B vitamins with distinct metabolic roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, pantothenic acid and niacin are not the same. Pantothenic acid is known as vitamin B5, while niacin is the name for vitamin B3. They are different B vitamins with distinct chemical structures and primary functions in the body.

The main function of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is its role in forming coenzyme A, which is essential for releasing energy from fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It also helps synthesize hormones and cholesterol.

Niacin (vitamin B3) is crucial for converting food into energy by forming the coenzymes NAD and NADP. These coenzymes are involved in hundreds of metabolic reactions, and niacin also supports the nervous system and skin health.

No, taking pantothenic acid cannot replace niacin. Although both are B vitamins, they perform different and non-interchangeable functions in the body's metabolic processes.

Pantothenic acid is found in a wide variety of foods, including meat, fish, eggs, milk, whole grains, legumes, and vegetables like broccoli and mushrooms.

Good sources of niacin include poultry, red meat, fish, fortified cereals, legumes, and peanuts.

Severe niacin deficiency leads to a disease called pellagra, characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.

Pantothenic acid deficiency is very rare due to its wide availability in food. In cases of severe malnutrition, it can cause symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.