Vitamin B6

What is Vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is a B vitamin found in certain foods. For instance, Vitamin B6 is found in milk, eggs, cereals, beans, liver, and vegetables. Or it could be made in a laboratory. In general, Vitamin B6 is used to treat or prevent pyridoxine deficiency and the resulting anemia. Further, pyridoxine can be used to treat depression, heart disease, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), etc. In most cases, Vitamin B6 is used with other B vitamins.

How is Vitamin B6 used?

In short, the human body needs Vitamin B6 to process sugars, fats, and proteins. Plus, pyridoxine is needed to properly grow and develop the brain, skin, nerves, and other parts of the body.

Further, Vitamin B6 is effective for the following conditions:

Vitamin B6 deficiency. Take pyridoxine by mouth to treat and prevent this condition.
Sideroblastic anemia. This is an inherited disease that causes abnormal red blood cells to build iron. Take Vitamin B6 by mouth to treat and prevent this disease.
Rare seizure disorder. Give infants Vitamin B6 to treat this disorder caused by dependence on pyridoxine.

Pyridoxine may likely be effective for hyperhomocysteinemia (increased levels of homocysteine in blood). Taking Vitamin B6 and folic acid by mouth helps treat this condition.

Finally, Vitamin B6 may possibly be effective for the following conditions:

Morning sickness.
Kidney stones.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Gout.

What are the side effects of Vitamin B6?

When taken by mouth, Vitamin B6 is likely safe in doses ranging from 100mg-200mg daily. However, if people take more than 500mg daily, they increase their risk of the following side effects:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Headache
Loss of appetite
Tingling
Fatigue
Etc

When given through an IV with medical supervision for FDA-approved uses, Vitamin B6 is likely safe. Finally, if a medical professional gives someone an injection of Vitamin B6 into their muscle for FDA-approved uses, it is likely safe. However, it is likely unsafe if this is done in large doses.