
Background
Vitamin B6 is needed for the proper function of sugars, fats, and proteins in the body. It's also necessary for the development of the brain, nerves, skin, and many other parts of the body. It's found in cereals, legumes, and eggs, and often used with other B vitamins in vitamin B complex products.
People commonly use vitamin B6 for preventing and treating vitamin B6 deficiency. It is also used for heart disease, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), depression, morning sickness, Alzheimer disease, menstrual cramps, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.
Safety Safety definitions
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Vitamin B6 is likely safe when taken by mouth, appropriately. It's sometimes used to control morning sickness, but should only be done so under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Taking high doses is possibly unsafe. High doses might cause newborns to have seizures.Breast-feeding: Vitamin B6 is likely safe when taken in doses of 2 mg by mouth daily. Avoid using higher amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking higher doses of vitamin B6 is safe when breast-feeding.
Post-surgical stent placement. Avoid using a combination of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 after receiving a coronary stent. This combination may increase the risk of blood vessel narrowing.
Weight loss surgery. Taking a vitamin B6 supplement is not needed for people that have had weight loss surgery. Taking too much might increase the chance of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and browning skin.
Effectiveness
- A rare seizure disorder that requires vitamin B6. Giving infants vitamin B6 by IV controls seizures caused by a condition called pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.
- 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.
- High levels of a hormone called prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) caused by antipsychotic drugs. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth reduces levels of prolactin in males with this condition.
- Kidney stones. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth, alone or along with magnesium, can decrease the risk of kidney stones, especially in people with an inherited condition that causes kidney stones.
- Morning sickness. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth improves symptoms of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Vitamin B6 plus the drug doxylamine is recommended for those who don't get better when taking vitamin B6 alone.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Taking vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) by mouth seems to improve PMS symptoms including breast pain. The lowest effective dose should be used. Higher doses will increase the chance of side effects and aren't likely to increase benefits.
- Decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth doesn't improve mental function in elderly people.
- Alzheimer disease. Taking vitamin B6 supplements by mouth or eating large amounts of vitamin B6 in the diet doesn't seem to reduce the risk for Alzheimer disease.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth doesn't seem to reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Cataracts. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth, together with folic acid and vitamin B12, doesn't prevent cataracts. It might even increase the risk of needing to have cataracts removed.
- An adverse skin reaction caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy-induced acral erythema). Taking vitamin B6 by mouth doesn't seem to prevent this skin reaction in people treated with cancer drugs. Vitamin B6 might also reduce how well certain cancer drugs work.
- Non-cancerous growths in the large intestine and rectum (colorectal adenoma). Taking a combination of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 by mouth doesn't reduce the risk of developing colorectal polyps.
- Seizures in people with high blood pressure during pregnancy (eclampsia). Taking vitamin B6 by mouth or as a shot doesn't seem to reduce the risk of seizures during pregnancy. Vitamin B6 shots can only be given by a healthcare provider.
- Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Taking a combination of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 by mouth doesn't prevent broken bones in people with osteoporosis.
- A pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine (pre-eclampsia). Taking vitamin B6 by mouth or as a shot doesn't seem to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. Vitamin B6 shots can only be given by a healthcare provider.
- Preterm birth. Taking vitamin B6 by mouth or as a shot doesn't seem to reduce the risk of preterm birth. Vitamin B6 shots can only be given by a healthcare provider.
Dosing & administration
In supplements, vitamin B6 is often used alone and in products containing other B vitamins. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Amiodarone might increase sensitivity to sunlight. Taking vitamin B6 along with amiodarone might increase the chances of sunburn, blistering, or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
Levodopa
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Vitamin B6 can increase how quickly the body breaks down and gets rid of levodopa. But this is only a problem if you are taking levodopa alone. Most people take levodopa along with carbidopa. Carbidopa prevents this interaction from occurring. If you are taking levodopa without carbidopa, do not take vitamin B6.
Medications for high blood pressure (antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Vitamin B6 might lower blood pressure. Taking vitamin B6 along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Phenobarbital (Luminal)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Vitamin B6 might increase how quickly the body breaks down phenobarbital. This could decrease the effects of phenobarbital.
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.
Vitamin B6 might increase how quickly the body breaks down phenytoin. Taking vitamin B6 along with phenytoin might decrease the effects of phenytoin and increase the risk of seizures. Do not take large doses of vitamin B6 if you are taking phenytoin.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 19.59 mg equiv. pyridoxine 12.5 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 30.39 mg equiv. pyridoxine 25 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 445 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 250 µg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 250 µg
- Potassium iodide 98.10 µg equiv. iodine 75 µg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 3.18 mg equiv. thiamine 2.5 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 3.29 mg equiv. riboflavin 2.5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 27.29 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 25 mg
- Choline bitartrate 25 mg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Biotin 200 µg
- Magnesium ascorbate monohydrate (Vitamin C) 56.04 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 50 mg
- Cholecalciferol 6.25 µg equiv. vitamin D3 250 IU
- Chromium picolinate 201.1 µg equiv. chromium 25 µg
- Magnesium citrate 308.64 mg equiv. magnesium 50 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 20 mg equiv. manganese 2 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 37.5 µg equiv. molybdenum 25 µg
- Selenomethionine 62.1 µg equiv. selenium 25 µg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 17.13 mg equiv. zinc 5.5 mg
- Zingiber officinale ext. 65 mg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 5 mg equiv. silica 2.34 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 15.4 mg equiv. pyridoxine 10 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 61 mg equiv. pyridoxine 50 mg
- Potassium iodide 294 μg equiv. iodine 225 μg
- Iron bisglycinate 18.5 mg equiv. iron 5 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 400 μg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 100 mg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 20 μg
- Choline bitartrate 486 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 56 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 50 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 75 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 50 mg equiv. manganese 5 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 78.35 mg equiv. zinc 25 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg
- Selenomethionine 186 μg equiv. selenium 75 μg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 55 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 50 mg
- Chromium nicotinate 500 μg equiv. chromium 50 μg
- Sodium molybdate dihydrate 126 μg equiv. molybdenum 50 μg
- R,S-alpha lipoic acid 100 mg
- Biotin 100 μg
- Cholecalciferol 25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 1000 IU
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 3 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 200 mg
- Inositol 100 mg
- Levomefolate calcium (Activated folate) 540 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 500 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 7.8 mg equiv. pyridoxine 5 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 37.6 mg equiv. pyridoxine 30.9 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 173.6 µg equiv. folinic acid 125 µg
- Levomefolate calcium (Activated folate) 154 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 125 µg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 250 µg
- Iron amino acid chelate 50 mg equiv. iron 5 mg
- Potassium iodide 176 µg equiv. iodine 135 µg
- Selenomethionine 62 µg equiv. selenium 25 µg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31.15 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 20 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 20 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 20 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 20 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 18.3 mg equiv. calcium 1.7 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 50 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 µg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (low-alpha type) (Vitamin E) 5 mg
- Biotin 200 µg
- Choline bitartrate 75 mg equiv. choline 31.16 mg
- Inositol 10 mg
- Calcium phosphate 68.5 mg equiv. calcium 25 mg
- Chromium picolinate 201 µg equiv. chromium 25 µg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 100 mg equiv. magnesium 20 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 10 mg equiv. manganese 1 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 38 µg equiv. molybdenum 25 µg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 5 mg equiv. pyridoxine 3.2 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 10 mg equiv. pyridoxine 8.2 mg
- Crocus sativus ext. 14 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 33.3 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 125 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 220 µg equiv. folinic acid 200 µg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 µg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 40 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra ext. 76.9 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25.4 mg equiv. thiamine 20 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 54.6 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 50 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 784 µg equiv. pyridoxine 500 µg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 1 mg equiv. pyridoxine 823 µg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 2.4 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 30 mg
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 2.5 µg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E) 4 mg equiv. d-alpha-tocopherol 4.8 IU
- Zinc glycinate monohydrate 5.32 mg equiv. zinc 1.5 mg
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 300 µg equiv. retinol acetate 236 µg equiv. vitamin A 205.8 µg RE
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 2 mg equiv. thiamine 1.6 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 1.3 mg equiv. riboflavin 1 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 3 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 1.6 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 1.5 mg equiv. calcium 140 µg
- Folic acid 100 µg
- Biotin 25 µg
- Choline bitartrate 62.5 mg
- Calcium citrate tetrahydrate 23.98 mg equiv. calcium 5 mg
- Potassium iodide 59 µg equiv. iodine 45 µg
- Ferrous fumarate 7.61 mg equiv. iron 2.5 mg
- Magnesium glycinate 111.11 mg equiv. magnesium 15 mg
- Manganese (II) glycinate 2.84 mg equiv. manganese 650 µg
- Selenomethionine 18.8 µg equiv. selenium 7.5 µg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 500 µg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 10 µg
- Tagetes erecta ext. 5 mg
- Ziziphus jujuba ext. 217 mg
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
- Xylitol
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Coffea arabica
- Theobroma cacao 50 mg
- Creatine hydrochloride 750 mg
- Camellia sinensis 150 mg
- Pisum sativum 200 mg
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Hordeum vulgare powder 15 mg
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 40 mg
- Orthosilicic acid (Silica)
- Flavour
- Folate 200 µg
- Glycerol monostearate (GMS) 1.5 g
- Alpinia galanga 150 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- L-tyrosine 500 mg
- Acetyl L-carnitine (Acetyl-L-carnitine)
- Camellia sinensis
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Theobroma cacao powder 40 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Piper nigrum 5 mg
- Folate
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Hordeum vulgare 20 mg
- Gamma-Butyrobetaine (GBB) 15 mg
- Coffea arabica equiv. caffeine 150 mg
- Alpinia galanga powder 150 mg
- Orthosilicic acid (Silica)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Xanthan gum
- Chromium picolinate
- Flavour
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Schisandra chinensis ext. equiv. dry 2.5 g
- L-leucine
- L-isoleucine
- L-methionine
- L-threonine
- L-valine
- L-lysine
- L-phenylalanine
- L-histidine
- L-tryptophan
- Calcium citrate
- Magnesium bisglycinate
- Flavour
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Potassium citrate
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate monohydrate 1.05 g
- Calcium beta-hydroxybutyrate 1.55 g
- Sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate 0.6 g
- Medium chain triglycerides (goMCT®️) 250 mg
- L-leucine
- L-lysine
- L-tyrosine
- Theobroma cacao powder
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Natural flavours
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 100 mg equiv. pyridoxine 82.3 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 100 mg equiv. thiamine 89.2 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 100 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 500 µg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 100 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 75 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 68.2 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 538 µg equiv. folinic acid 400 µg
- Biotin 100 µg
- Choline bitartrate 50 mg
- Inositol 50 mg
- Nicotinic acid (Vitamin B3) 10 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 75 mg equiv. pyridoxine 61.7 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 100 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 80 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 µg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 100 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 120 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 109.9 mg
- Folic acid 400 µg
- Choline bitartrate 50 mg
- Inositol 50 mg
- Biotin 50 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 200 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 75 mg equiv. pyridoxine 61.7 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 100 mg equiv. thiamine 81.1 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 50 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 150 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 110 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 100.8 mg
- Folic acid 150 µg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 150 µg
- Biotin 150 µg
- Choline bitartrate 137.5 mg
- Inositol 100 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 113.8 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 60.8 mg equiv. pyridoxine 50 mg
- Tribulus terrestris ext. 20 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 61.7 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 50 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 75 mg
- Calcium pantothenate 81.9 mg equiv. calcium 6.9 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 75 mg
- Folic acid 100 μg
- Levomefolate calcium (Activated folate) 124 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 100 μg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 μg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg
- Cholecalciferol 25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 1000 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 10.5 mg equiv. vitamin E 12.7 IU
- Biotin 250 μg
- Inositol 50 mg
- Alpha lipoic acid 30 mg
- Lycopene 1 mg
- Calcium citrate tetrahydrate 99.53 mg equiv. calcium 21 mg
- Chromium picolinate 199.5 μg equiv. chromium 24.8 μg
- Copper gluconate 7.14 mg equiv. copper 1 mg
- Iron amino acid chelate 30 mg equiv. iron 3 mg
- Magnesium citrate 154.7 mg equiv. magnesium 25 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 1.54 mg equiv. manganese 500 μg
- Potassium phosphate - monobasic 24.5 mg equiv. potassium 7 mg
- Potassium iodide 50 μg equiv. iodine 38 μg
- Selenomethionine 186.3 μg equiv. selenium 75 μg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 50 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Tribulus terrestris ext. 20 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 133.3 mg
- Turnera diffusa ext. 50 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 20 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 60.8 mg equiv. pyridoxine 50 mg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg
- Cholecalciferol 25 µg equiv. vitamin D3 1000 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 41.3 mg equiv. vitamin E 50 IU
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31.15 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25 mg equiv. thiamine 22.3 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 25 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 100 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 91.6 mg
- Folic acid 200 µg
- Levomefolate calcium (Activated folate) 124 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 100 µg
- Biotin 50 µg
- Choline bitartrate 25 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 50 mg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate 169.72 mg equiv. calcium 50 mg
- Calcium citrate tetrahydrate 71.09 mg equiv. calcium 15 mg
- Calcium pantothenate 100 mg equiv. calcium 8.4 mg
- Chromium nicotinate 417 µg equiv. chromium 50 µg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 42.78 mg equiv. silicon 20 mg
- Copper gluconate 3.57 mg equiv. copper 500 µg
- Ferrous fumarate 16.01 mg equiv. iron 5 mg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 125 mg equiv. magnesium 25 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 10 mg equiv. manganese 1 mg
- Potassium iodide (Iodine) 196 µg equiv. iodine 150 µg equiv. potassium 46 µg
- Selenomethionine 124 µg equiv. selenium 50 µg
- Vitis vinifera ext. 100 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 14.3 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 60.78 mg equiv. pyridoxine 50 mg
- Magnesium oxide - heavy 423.22 mg equiv. magnesium 245 mg
- Magnesium citrate 291.26 mg equiv. magnesium 45 mg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 75 mg equiv. magnesium 15 mg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 60.52 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 50 mg
- Cholecalciferol 2.5 µg equiv. vitamin D3 100 IU
- Manganese amino acid chelate 40 mg equiv. manganese 4 mg
- Chromium picolinate 402.25 µg equiv. chromium 50 µg