Clinical medicine profile
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement
- Route
- ORAL / IM / IV (selected)
- Schedule
- POM
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
This profile needs source confirmation
A traceable source link is not attached to this profile. Confirm prescribing decisions against the current SmPC and Kenya STG/EML.
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- Hypervitaminosis risk states (hypercalcaemia for vitamin D/A).
- Iron: avoid in iron overload.
- Potassium: severe hyperkalaemia / untreated Addison's.
Precautions
- Treat confirmed deficiency with monitored repletion.
- Avoid megadoses without indication.
- Iron: keep away from children (overdose lethal).
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
Deficiency states: 20-50mg TID. Isoniazid neuropathy prophylaxis -100mg OD.
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Fat-soluble vitamins and potassium need care in advanced CKD.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Vitamin A toxicity hepatic; niacin hepatotoxicity at high dose.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- Treatment of isoniazid toxicity
- treatment cycloserine toxicity
- hereditary pyridoxine dependency syndrome by neonates
- prophylaxis and treatment of pyridoxine deficiency
- conditions in which supplementation is required include alcoholism, burns
- chronic fever, gastrectomy, haemodialysis, diarrhoea, prolonged stress among others.
Adverse effects
- GI upset (iron, high-dose vitamin C).
- Hypercalcaemia (vitamin D excess).
- Neuropathy with B6 megadoses.
- Flushing (niacin).
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- ||| Deficiency symptoms may be seen during isoniazid therapy and include: sideroblastic anaemia and xanthurenic aciduria
- neurologic problems [It is characterized by peripheral neuritis]
- cheilosis
- seborrheic dermatitis.
Mechanism & disposition
It is converted [in erythrocytes] to pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxamine phos- phate.
Read complete mechanism
It is converted [in erythrocytes] to pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxamine phos- phate. These act as coenzymes for various meta- bolic functions involving protein, carbohydrate, and lipid utilization. Its use as an antidote is due to the fact that it increases the excretion of certain drugs like cycloserine and isoniazid, which act as its antag- onists.
Days–weeks for repletion
Depends on stores and ongoing intake
ORAL / IM / IV (selected)
depends on GI integrity, food matrix and binders (e.g. calcium/iron interactions). Fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) accumulate; water-soluble generally renally cleared.
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
Folic acid preconception/first trimester critical. Iron/folate common in ANC. Avoid excess vitamin A.
Maternal repletion often appropriate; avoid megadoses.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| No reviewed brand listings are linked yet. | |||
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.