Vitamin B6
Pyridoxine
A form of vitamin B6 used to treat deficiency and in certain specific conditions.
What is Pyridoxine?
Pyridoxine is a form of vitamin B6, a nutrient the body needs for the nervous system, the breakdown of proteins and the making of red blood cells. It is used to prevent and treat vitamin B6 deficiency and in some specific situations, such as alongside certain medicines or in particular inherited conditions. It is usually well tolerated, but taking very high amounts for a long time can damage the nerves and cause numbness or tingling. It is taken once a day or as advised.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Pyridoxine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Pyridoxine is a form of vitamin B6, a water-soluble vitamin found in many foods such as poultry, fish, potatoes and bananas. The body needs it to process proteins, support the nervous system and help make red blood cells. Pyridoxine supplements are used when someone is, or is at risk of, vitamin B6 deficiency, and in a few specific medical situations. It is taken by mouth as a tablet.
How it works
Pyridoxine is converted in the body into the active form of vitamin B6, which acts as a helper for many enzymes involved in handling amino acids, making certain brain chemicals and forming red blood cells. Supplementing restores these processes when levels are low. In some specific situations it is given alongside particular medicines or to support inherited conditions that affect B6.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A form of vitamin B6 used in the UK to prevent and treat deficiency and in some specific medical situations.
Practical use
How to take Pyridoxine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it once a day, or as directed by your prescriber, with or without food.
- Only take high-dose or long-term vitamin B6 if a healthcare professional has advised it.
- If you are taking it for a specific reason such as alongside another medicine, follow the schedule you were given.
- Tell your prescriber if you develop numbness, tingling or unsteadiness, as this can be a sign of too much over time.
- Do not assume more is better; high amounts over long periods can do harm rather than good.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Pyridoxine
Advantages
- Effectively corrects vitamin B6 deficiency and supports the nervous system and red blood cell formation.
- Generally very safe and well tolerated at sensible amounts.
- Useful in some specific situations, such as alongside certain medicines or in particular inherited conditions.
Disadvantages
- High doses taken for a long time can cause nerve damage with numbness and tingling.
- Rarely needed by people with a normal, varied diet.
- Self-treating with large amounts can be harmful rather than helpful.
Practical use
Good to know
Most people get enough vitamin B6 from a normal diet, so supplements are only needed for deficiency or specific reasons. It is generally very safe at sensible amounts, but the key caution is that taking high doses for a long time can cause nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy), with numbness, tingling or unsteadiness, which usually improve if it is stopped. Nerve problems have also been reported at more modest amounts, and the total can build up unnoticed if vitamin B6 is also present in other supplements you take (multivitamins, magnesium or zinc products), so check the combined total. Because of this, regular higher-dose use should only be on medical advice. It is sometimes used in pregnancy-related nausea and in certain medicine-related or inherited conditions, always guided by a clinician.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People already taking high-dose B6 in other supplements should avoid adding more without advice.
- It should be used cautiously and only as directed in those with existing nerve problems.
- Long-term high-dose use should be avoided unless specifically recommended by a clinician.
Monitoring
- Reviewing the reason for use and whether continued supplementation is needed.
- Watching for numbness, tingling or unsteadiness with long-term or high-dose use.
- Checking response when given for deficiency or a specific condition.
Side effects
- Usually none at sensible amounts; occasional nausea or stomach upset.
- Long-term high doses can cause nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy) with numbness and tingling.
- Rarely, headache or skin reactions.
Key interactions
- Can reduce the effect of levodopa for Parkinson's when that is taken without carbidopa.
- May interact with some anti-epileptic medicines, affecting their levels.
- Certain medicines (such as some used for tuberculosis) can increase the need for vitamin B6.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Pyridoxine: frequently asked questions
What is pyridoxine used for?
It is a form of vitamin B6 used to prevent and treat deficiency and in some specific situations, such as alongside certain medicines or particular inherited conditions.
Can too much vitamin B6 be harmful?
Yes. Taking high doses for a long time can damage nerves and cause numbness or tingling, so long-term high-dose use should only be on medical advice.
Do I need a B6 supplement if I eat well?
Most people get enough from a normal varied diet, so supplements are usually only needed for deficiency or a specific medical reason.
Will it interact with my medicines?
It can affect levodopa taken without carbidopa and some other medicines, so tell your prescriber what you take.
What should I do if I get tingling in my hands or feet?
Report numbness, tingling or unsteadiness to your prescriber, as these can be signs of too much vitamin B6 over time.
The wider class
About Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Pyridoxine belongs to the vitamin b6 (pyridoxine) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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