Who Should Avoid NAD+ Injections? A UK Safety Guide

Who should avoid NAD+ injections? As a general rule, anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, living with a bleeding disorder, taking blood-thinning or other prescription medication, or managing a kidney, liver or cardiovascular condition should speak to a doctor before using NAD+ injections — and in some cases avoid them altogether. Because NAD+ injections aren't licensed as a medicine by the MHRA in the UK, the safety screening that usually happens automatically with a prescription drug doesn't happen here, so it's worth doing that homework yourself.

Why This Question Matters More With an Unlicensed Product

NAD+ injections are sold in the UK as an unlicensed wellness product, not a medicine the MHRA has reviewed and approved. That means there's no regulator-mandated patient information leaflet listing contraindications, no large-scale post-market safety monitoring, and far less published human safety data than you'd find for a prescription medicine. A recent review of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a closely related NAD+ precursor, in human clinical trials found most studies were small, short-term, and not designed to detect rarer or longer-term safety signals. That doesn't mean NAD+ injections are unsafe — it means the burden of screening falls more heavily on you and your GP than it would with a licensed drug, which is exactly why the questions below are worth taking seriously. If you're also wondering about dose limits rather than who should use NAD+ at all, our guide on whether you can take too much NAD+ covers that separately.

Who Should Check With a Doctor Before Starting NAD+

The following groups should speak to a GP or pharmacist before using NAD+ injections, and in several cases should avoid them until they've had medical advice:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding — there's insufficient safety data on NAD+ injections during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

• Under 18 — NAD+ injection kits sold in the UK are intended for adult use only, and there's no paediatric safety data.

• Living with a bleeding disorder or taking anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication — self-administered injections carry a higher bleeding and bruising risk for this group.

• Managing a kidney or liver condition — there's limited data on how these organs clear NAD+ at the doses used in self-injection kits.

• Living with a cardiovascular condition or uncontrolled blood pressure — caution is advised given the lack of dedicated safety studies in this group.

• Immunocompromised, currently unwell, or undergoing active medical treatment — any new substance should be checked against your existing treatment plan.

• Known allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in the injection, including preservatives or diluents — check the full ingredient list before use.

NAD+ and Prescription Medications, Including GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections

Comprehensive interaction data for injectable NAD+ is limited, which means it's genuinely unclear how it behaves alongside many prescription medicines. This matters in particular for anyone using GLP-1 weight-loss injections such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, immunosuppressants, chemotherapy drugs, or medication for a chronic condition. If you're taking any prescribed medication, the safest approach is to check with the prescriber — your GP, specialist, or the clinician who prescribed it — before adding NAD+ injections, rather than assuming it's fine because both happen to be self-administered by injection.

Signs of a Reaction You Shouldn't Ignore

Most people tolerate subcutaneous NAD+ injections without serious issues, but you should stop and seek medical attention if you notice swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, hives or a widespread rash, dizziness or fainting, or a fever following an injection. Redness, mild bruising or tenderness at the injection site is common and usually settles within a few days; pain, swelling or redness that spreads or worsens is not. You can also report a suspected side effect to the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme, the UK's system for tracking safety issues with medicines and other healthcare products — even for unlicensed products like NAD+ injections, this feedback helps build a clearer safety picture over time.

Using NAD+ More Safely If You Do Proceed

If none of the caution categories above apply to you and you've decided to go ahead, a few habits reduce risk: buy only from a supplier that's transparent about sourcing and ingredients, follow the exact reconstitution and dosing instructions that come with your kit rather than advice from social media, rotate your injection sites to avoid repeated tissue irritation, and keep a basic record of when and how much you've used. It's also worth reading up on injection technique if you're unsure which method your kit calls for — see our guide on subcutaneous vs intramuscular NAD+ injections — and mentioning to your GP or pharmacist that you're using NAD+ injections, particularly if you're also managing another health condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use NAD+ injections if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

There isn't enough safety data on NAD+ injections during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so most guidance recommends avoiding them in these circumstances and speaking to a midwife or GP instead.

Is it safe to use NAD+ injections alongside prescription medication, including weight-loss injections like Wegovy or Mounjaro?

Potential interactions between NAD+ and prescription medicines, including GLP-1 weight-loss injections, haven't been thoroughly studied. Always check with the prescriber of any medication you're taking before adding NAD+ injections.

What should I do if I think I'm having an allergic reaction to an NAD+ injection?

Stop using the product immediately and seek medical attention, especially if you notice swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, or dizziness. You can also report the reaction to the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme.

Should I tell my GP or pharmacist that I'm using NAD+ injections?

Yes. Since NAD+ injections are unlicensed and could interact with other treatments, it's worth letting your GP or pharmacist know, particularly if you're managing an existing health condition or taking other medication.

Is there a minimum age for using NAD+ injections?

Yes. NAD+ injection kits sold in the UK are intended for adults only; there's no safety data for under-18s, so these products aren't suitable for children or teenagers.

This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not replace the product-specific instructions provided with your kit or advice from a healthcare professional. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction or feel unwell after an injection, seek medical attention immediately.