NAD (also known as Coenzyme I, Dihydronicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide): A coenzyme composed of ribosylnicotinamide 5'-diphosphate coupled to adenosine 5'-phosphate by pyrophosphate linkage. It is found widely in nature and is involved in numerous enzymatic reactions in which it serves as an electron carrier by being

NIH MeSH · D009243Chemicals and Drugs

NAD

Also known asCoenzyme I · Dihydronicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide · Adenine Dinucleotide, Dihydronicotinamide · Dinucleotide, Dihydronicotinamide Adenine · Nadide · DPN · Nicotinamide-Adenine Dinucleotide · Dinucleotide, Nicotinamide-Adenine · Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide · Diphosphopyridine Nucleotide · Nucleotide, Diphosphopyridine · NADH

Definition

A coenzyme composed of ribosylnicotinamide 5'-diphosphate coupled to adenosine 5'-phosphate by pyrophosphate linkage. It is found widely in nature and is involved in numerous enzymatic reactions in which it serves as an electron carrier by being alternately oxidized (NAD+) and reduced (NADH). (Dorland, 27th ed)

MeSH classification

  • D03.633.100.759.646.138.694
  • D08.211.589
  • D13.695.667.138.694
  • D13.695.827.068.694

Need clinical context, treatments, or patient-language explanation?

Ask GoDavaii AI about NAD

Related concepts

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate

A long-acting derivative of cyclic AMP. It is an activator of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, but resistant to degradation by cyclic AM…

Acetyl Coenzyme A

Acetyl CoA participates in the biosynthesis of fatty acids and sterols, in the oxidation of fatty acids and in the metabolism of many amino …

Common questions about NAD

What does NAD mean in medicine?
A coenzyme composed of ribosylnicotinamide 5'-diphosphate coupled to adenosine 5'-phosphate by pyrophosphate linkage. It is found widely in nature and is involved in numerous enzymatic reactions in which it serves as an electron carrier by being alternately oxidized (NAD+) and reduced (NADH). (Dorland, 27th ed) This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is NAD known by any other names?
Yes. NAD is also referred to as Coenzyme I, Dihydronicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Adenine Dinucleotide, Dihydronicotinamide, Dinucleotide, Dihydronicotinamide Adenine in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does NAD sit in the medical classification?
NAD falls under the broader medical category "Chemicals and Drugs" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: D03.633.100.759.646.138.694, D08.211.589, D13.695.667.138.694). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of NAD?
For a plain-language explanation of NAD - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about NAD" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D009243) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗