Vitamin B6

What is it?
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is used for the prevention and treatment of Vitamin B6 deficiency states (low Vitamin B6). It is also used to treat pregnancy-related nausea (upset stomach) and vomiting (throwing up), diabetes, HIV, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other names for Vitamin B6 include: Pyridoxal Hydrochloride and Pyridoxine.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using:
Tell your doctor if you

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage:
Talk with your caregiver about how much Vitamin B6 you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Vitamin B6. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take Vitamin B6 without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Levodopa (Dopar(R), Larodopa(R), Sinemet(R))
• Altretamine (Hexalen(R))

Warnings:

• Before taking Vitamin B6, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Do not use if you have or have had seizures (10)
• Some prescription medicines may make your body need more Vitamin B6 (examples: Hydralazine (Apresoline(R)), Isoniazid (Laniazid(R), Nydrazid(R)), Penicillamine (Cuprimine(R), Depen(R)), Birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about the need to take Vitamin B6 if you take these medicines (2)

Side Effects:
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• You may not be able to walk well, it may be hard to control your movements, you may not feel things or sense temperature well (2)
• You may feel sleepy (feeling tired) (2)
• You may get an upset stomach, throwing up, or loss of appetite (4)
• Your skin may burn easier when exposed to sunlight so wear sunblock when outside (11)

References:
1. National Research Council: Vitamin B6. Recommended Dietary Allowances, 10th ed. National Academy Press, Washington, DC; 1998.
2. Anon: Vitamin supplements. Med Lett Drugs Ther 1985; 27:66-68.
3. Briggs GG, Freeman RK & Yaffe SJ: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk, 3rd ed. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD; 1990.
4. Ross JB & Moss MA: Relief of the photosensitivity of erythropoietic protoporphyria by pyridoxine. J Am Acad Dermatol 1990; 22:340-342.
5. AMA: Drug Evaluations Subscription, vol.3. American Medical Association, Chicago, IL; 1990.
6. Ellis JM, Azuma J, Watanabe T et al: Survey and new data on treatment with pyridoxine of patients having a clinical syndrome including the carpal tunnel and other defects. Re Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1977; 17(1): 165-177.
7. Bennink HJ, Schreurs WH: Improvement of oral glucose tolerance in gestational diabetes by pyridoxine. BMJ 1975; 2(5974): 13-15.
8. Solomon L & Cohen K: Erythrocyte oxygen transport and metabolism and effects of vitamin B6 therapy in type II diabetes mellitus. Diabetes 1989; 38(7): 881-886.
9. Vutyavanich T, Wongtra-Ngan S & Ruangsri R: Pyridoxine for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995; 173(3 pt 1): 881-884.
10. Kroll JS: Pyridoxine for neonatal seizures: an unexpected danger. Dev Med Child Neurol 1985; 27: 369-382.
11. Mulrow JP, Mulrow CD & McKenna WJ: Pyridoxine and amiodarone-induced photosensitvity. Ann Intern Med 1985; 103(1): 68-69.
12. Product Information: Hexalen(R), altretamine. U.S. Bioscience, Inc., West Conshohocken, PA, 1999.