Overview

Vitamin B6 is a type of B vitamin. It can be found in certain foods such as cereals, beans, vegetables, liver, meat, and eggs. It can also be made in a laboratory.

Vitamin B6 is used for preventing and treating low levels of pyridoxine (pyridoxine deficiency) and the anemia that may result. It is also used for heart disease, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), depression, and many other conditions.

Vitamin B6 is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins in vitamin B complex products.

Classification

Is a Form of:

B Vitamin

Primary Functions:

Low levels of pyridoxine

Also Known As:

Adermine Chlorhydrate, Adermine Hydrochloride, B Complex Vitamin

How Does It Work?

Pyridoxine is required for the proper function of sugars, fats, and proteins in the body. It is also required for the proper growth and development of the brain, nerves, skin, and many other parts of the body.

Uses

• Seizures. Administering vitamin B6 intravenously (by IV) controls seizures in infants that are caused by vitamin B6 dependence.
• A condition in which the body makes abnormal red blood cells that build up iron (sideroblastic anemia). Taking vitamin B6 by mouth is effective for treating an inherited type of anemia called sideroblastic anemia.
• Vitamin B6 deficiency. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth is effective for preventing and treating vitamin B6 deficiency.

• High levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia).Taking vitamin B6 by mouth, usually with folic acid, is effective for treating high homocysteine levels in the blood.

• An eye disease that leads to vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration). Some research shows that taking vitamin B6 with other vitamins including folic acid and vitamin B12 might help prevent the loss of vision caused by an eye disease called macular degeneration.
• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). As people age, their arteries tend to lose their ability to stretch and flex. Garlic and other ingredients seem to reduce this effect. Taking a specific supplement containing garlic, amino acids (part of proteins), and vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 (Kyolic, Total Heart Health, Formula 108, Wakunga) seem to reduce symptoms of hardening of the arteries.
• Kidney stones. People with a hereditary disorder called type I primary hyperoxaluria have an increased risk of forming kidney stones. There is some evidence that taking vitamin B6 by mouth, alone or along with magnesium, or getting vitamin B6 injected into the vein, can decrease the risk of kidney stones in people with this condition. However, it does not appear to help people with other kinds of kidney stones.
• Morning sickness. Some research suggests that taking vitamin B6, usually as pyridoxine, improves symptoms of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology considers vitamin B6 a first-line treatment for nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy. Vitamin B6 plus the medicationdoxylamine is recommended for women who do not get better when treated with just vitamin B6. However, taking this combination is less effective than the medication ondansetron.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There is some evidence that taking vitamin B6 as pyridoxine by mouth can improve PMS symptoms including breast pain. The lowest effective dose should be used. Higher doses will increase the chance of side effects and are not likely to increase the beneficial effects.
• A movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs (tardive dyskinesia). Taking vitamin B6 seems to improve movement disorders in people taking certain drugs for schizophrenia.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

• For a condition in which the body make abnormal red blood cells that build up iron (sideroblastic anemia): Initially, 200-600 mg of vitamin B6 is used. The dose is decreased to 30-50 mg per day after an adequate response.
• For vitamin B6 deficiency: In most adults, the typical dose is 2.5-25 mg daily for three weeks then 1.5-2.5 mg per day thereafter. In women taking birth control pills, the dose is 25-30 mg per day.
• For high levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia): For reducing high levels of homocysteine in the blood after meals, 50-200 mg of vitamin B6 has been taken alone. Also, 100 mg of vitamin B6 has been taken in combination with 0.5 mg of folic acid.
• For an eye disease that leads to vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration): 50 mg of vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxine has been used daily in combination with 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) and 2500 mcg of folic acid for about 7 years.
• For hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis): A specific supplement (Kyolic, Total Heart Health, Formula 108, Wakunga) containing 250 mg of aged garlic extract, 100 mcg of vitamin B12, 300 mcg of folic acid, 12.5 mg of vitamin B6, and 100 mg of L-arginine daily for 12 months has been used.
• For kidney stones: 25-500 mg of vitamin B6 has been used daily.
• For morning sickness: 10-25 mg of vitamin B6 taken three or four times per day has been used. In people who don't respond to vitamin B6 alone, a combination product containing vitamin B6 and the drug doxylamine (Diclectin, Duchesnay Inc.) is used three or four times per day. Also, another product containing 75 mg of vitamin B6, 12 mcg of vitamin B12, 1 mg of folic acid, and 200 mg of calcium (PremesisRx, KV Pharmaceuticals) is used daily.
• For symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS): 50-100 mg of vitamin B6 is used daily, alone or along with 200 mg of magnesium.
• For treating a movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs (tardive dyskinesia): 100 mg of vitamin B6 per day has been increased weekly up to 400 mg per day, given in two divided doses.

INJECTED INTO THE MUSCLE:

• A condition in which the body makes abnormal red blood cells that build up iron (sideroblastic anemia): 250 mg of vitamin B6 daily, reduced to 250 mg of vitamin B6 weekly once adequate response is achieved.

CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:

• For kidney stones: Up to 20 mg/kg daily in children aged 5 years and up.

INJECTED INTO THE VEIN OR MUSCLE:

• For seizures: 10-100 mg is recommended for seizures in newborns who are dependent on vitamin B6.

The daily recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) of vitamin B6 are: Infants 0-6 months, 0.1 mg; Infants 7-12 months, 0.3 mg; Children 1-3 years, 0.5 mg; Children 4-8 years, 0.6 mg; Children 9-13 years, 1 mg; Males 14-50 years, 1.3 mg; Males over 50 years, 1.7 mg; Females 14-18 years, 1.2 mg; Females 19-50 years, 1.3 mg; Females over 50 years, 1.5 mg; Pregnant women, 1.9 mg; and breast-feeding women, 2 mg. Some researchers think the RDA for women 19-50 years should be increased to 1.5-1.7 mg per day. The recommended maximum daily intake is: Children 1-3 years, 30 mg; Children 4-8 years, 40 mg; Children 9-13 years, 60 mg; Adults, pregnant and breast-feeding women, 14-18 years, 80 mg; and Adults, pregnant and breast-feeding women, over 18 years, 100 mg.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is vitamin b6 pyridoxine used for?

Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the body. It is needed to maintain the health of nerves, skin, and red blood cells. Pyridoxine has been used to prevent or treat a certain nerve disorder (peripheral neuropathy) caused by certain medications (such as isoniazid).

Is pyridoxine a vitamin b6?

Vitamin B6 is one of the B vitamins that benefits the central nervous system. It is involved in producing the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, and in forming myelin. Also known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it dissolves in water.

What is the best form of vitamin b6?

What Form of Pyridoxine is Best? Most supplements contain inactivated pyridoxine, but some sources suggest that the activated (pyridoxal-5-phosphate, abbreviated as PLP) form is better.

How much b6 should you take a day?

A vitamin B-6 deficiency is usually coupled with deficiency in other B vitamins, such as folate (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-12. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-6 for adults is 1.3 milligrams.

What does pyridoxine cure?

Pyridoxine has been used to prevent or treat a certain nerve disorder (peripheral neuropathy) caused by certain medications (such as isoniazid). It has also been used to treat certain hereditary disorders (such as xanthurenic aciduria, hyperoxaluria, homocystinuria).

Should I take b6?

You can get vitamin B6 from food or supplements. The current recommended daily amount (RDA) for B6 is 1.3–1.7 mg for adults over 19. Doses of 30–250 mg of vitamin B6 per day have been used in research on PMS, morning sickness and heart disease 

How long does it take b6 to work?

The delayed-release formulation means you'll feel better about five to seven hours after taking it. Taking it before bed at night can help control your symptoms of morning sickness when you get up the next day. It can also mean that signs of accidental overdose would be delayed.

Does vitamin b6 cause weight gain?

For example, low levels of vitamin B6 are associated with a decrease in brain serotonin levels which could result in an increased appetite. On the other hand, some people may blame multivitamins for weight gain or a lack of weight loss because they ignore the bigger picture of their overall lifestyle.

Can you take too much b6?

Potential Side Effects of Too Much Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 toxicity is not likely to occur from food sources of B6. It would be nearly impossible to consume the amount in supplements from diet alone. Taking more than 1,000 mg of supplemental B6 a day may cause nerve damage and pain or numbness in the hands or feet.

What foods are high in b6?

Vitamin B6 is found in a wide variety of foods, including:

• poultry, such as chickenor turkey.
• wholegrain cereals, such as oatmeal, wheatgerm and brown rice.
• soya beans.

What causes low b6?

Vitamin B6 deficiency is usually caused by pyridoxine-inactivating drugs (eg, isoniazid), protein-energy undernutrition, malabsorption, alcoholism, or excessive loss. Deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy, seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis, and cheilosis, and, in adults, depression, confusion, and seizures.

When should I take pyridoxine?

If pyridoxine has been prescribed for you by a doctor, take it exactly as your doctor tells you to. The directions for taking the tablets will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you what the doctor said to you. You can take pyridoxine either before or after food.

Does vitamin b6 help you lose weight?

Vitamin B6 helps jumpstart weight loss because it helps the body metabolize fat and reduce water retention. Weight loss experts have found this vitamin to be highly beneficial for weight loss. Vitamin B6 supports many functions in the body that are necessary for weight loss.

How long does it take for b6 and Unisom to start working?

The delayed-release formulation means you'll feel better about five to seven hours after taking it. Taking it before bed at night can help control your symptoms of morning sickness when you get up the next day.

Does vitamin b6 make you happy?

FYI: B6 Might Make You Happier, Smarter, and Less Prone to Brain Fog. Erin Jahns has worked in the beauty industry since 2015. In other words, vitamin B6 is especially important for women.

Does vitamin b6 cause acne?

The Vitamins That Can Cause Acne & Why You Should Reconsider Them. ... Leslie Baumann, MD, a renowned dermatologist based in Miami who wrote the skin health bible The Skin Type Solution says taking certain vitamin Bs—specifically vitamin B6 and B12—may be behind bouts of acne. Not dirt or oil.

Can b6 cause anxiety?

Shortfalls of B6 may affect your mood, sometimes contributing to depression, anxiety, irritability and increased feelings of pain. That's because B6 is involved in the making of several neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

What is a toxic level of vitamin b6?

The US authorities set the no-observed-adverse-effect-level at 200 mg per day and the safe upper limit at 100 mg per day. A report of neurotoxicity in 2 patients who had taken 24 mg and 40 mg of vitamin B6 per day respectively, may be coincidence rather than a true toxic effect of such relatively low doses.

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