Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6)

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
	your doctor.
Estrogen or oral contraceptives	Increases requirements of
	pyridoxine. Also causes
	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