Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6) |
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Basic Information
Pyridoxine is also called pyridoxal phosphate.
Brand names:
Pyridoxine-Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules
Rodex(R)
TexSix T.R.(R)
Pyridoxine-Hydrochloride Tablets
Hexa-Betalin(R)
Pyroxin(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Water-soluble
NATURAL SOURCES
Avocados
Bananas
Bran
Brewer's yeast
Carrots
Flour, whole-wheat
Hazelnuts (filberts)
Lentils
Rice
Salmon
Shrimp
Soybeans
Sunflower seeds
Tuna
Wheat germ
REASONS TO USE
Participates actively in many chemical reactions of proteins
and amino acids.
Helps normal function of brain.
Promotes normal red-blood-cell formation.
Maintains chemical balance among body fluids.
Regulates excretion of water.
Helps in energy production and resistance to stress.
Acts as co-enzyme in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.
Treats some forms of anemia.
Treats cycloserine and isoniazid poisoning.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Treats or prevents depression when used with oral
contraceptives.
Treats premenstrual syndrome.
Reduces breast milk in nursing mothers with congested breasts.
Relieves morning sickness.
Helps arthritis.
Cures migraines.
Relieves nausea.
Acts as a tranquilizer.
Relieves nervous and muscle disorders.
Prevents tooth decay.
Lowers blood cholesterol.
Retards aging.
Treats diabetes.
Treats mental retardation.
Improves vision.
Helps weight-reduction efforts.
Helps infertility.
Cures carpal-tunnel syndrome.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Older people (over 55 years).
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long
periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Women taking oral contraceptives or estrogen.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of vitamin B-6 deficiency are non-specific and hard to
reproduce experimentally.
Weakness
Mental confusion
Irritability
Nervousness
Insomnia
Poor coordination walking
Hyperactivity
Abnormal electroencephalogram
Anemia
Skin lesions
Discoloration of tongue
Muscle twitching
Kidney stones
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Depression
Diabetes
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Pyridoxine level in blood
Xanthurenic-acid level in urine
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-6 months |
0.3mg |
| 6-12 months |
0.6mg |
| 1-3 years |
0.9mg |
| 4-6 years |
1.3mg |
| 7-10 years |
1.8mg |
| MALES |
| 11+ years |
2.2mg |
| FEMALES |
| 11+ years |
2.0mg |
| Pregnant |
+0.6mg |
| Lactating |
+0.5mg |
What this vitamin does:
Acts as co-enzyme for metabolic functions affecting protein,
carbohydrates and fat utilization.
Promotes conversion of tryptophan to niacin or serotonin.
Miscellaneous information:
Avoid cooking foods that contain vitamin B-6 in large amounts
of water.
Freezing vegetables results in a 30 to 56% reduction of
vitamin B-6.
Canning vegetables results in a 57 to 77% reduction of vitamin
B-6.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Extended-release capsules or tablets: Swallow whole with full
glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with or immediately
after food to decrease stomach irritation.
A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
You are allergic to vitamin B-6.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Been under severe stress with illness, burns, an accident,
recent surgery.
Intestinal problems.
Liver disease.
Overactive thyroid.
Parkinson's disease.
Over age 55:
More likely to have marginal deficiency.
Pregnancy:
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Megadoses can cause dangerous side effects in the infant.
Effect on lab tests:
May produce false-positive results in urobilinogen
determinations using Ehrlich's reagent.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of vitamin.
Others:
Regular B-6 supplements are recommended if you take
chloramphenicol, cycloserine, ethionamide, hydralazine,
immunosuppressants, isoniazid or penicillamine. These decrease
pyridoxine absorption and can cause anemia or tingling and
numbness in hands and feet.
Don't crush, break or chew tablets before swallowing.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Clumsiness, numbness in hands and feet.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Doses of 200mg/day can produce |
Discontinue megadoses gradually. |
| dependency, requiring need to |
| continue to take high doses |
| (undesirable). |
| Large doses (2 to 6 grams of |
Discontinue megadoses. Call |
| pyridoxine/day) taken for |
doctor immediately. |
| several months are reported to |
| cause severe sensory neuropathy |
| (see Glossary) with unsteady |
| gait, numb feet and hands, |
| clumsiness. |
| Causes depression when taken |
Discontinue pyridoxine. Call |
| with oral contraceptive pills. |
doctor when convenient. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Chloramphenicol, cycloserine, |
May increase excretion of |
| ethionamide, hydralazine, |
pyridoxine and cause anemia or |
| isoniazid, penicillamine, |
peripheral neuritis, which |
| immunosuppressants, such as |
includes pain, numbness and |
| adrenocorticoids, azathioprine, |
coldness in feet and |
| chlorambucil, ACTH, |
fingertips. If you take these |
| cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, |
medicines, you may need |
| mercaptopurine increased pyridoxine. Consult |
|
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your doctor. |
| Estrogen or oral contraceptives |
Increases requirements of |
|
pyridoxine. Also causes |
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depression. |
| Levodopa |
Prevents levodopa from |
|
controlling symptoms of |
|
Parkinson's disease. This |
|
problem does not occur with |
|
carbidopa-levodopa |
|
combination. |
| Phenytoin |
Large doses of B-6 hasten |
|
break-down of phenytoin. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental
vitamin B-6.
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