Uses based on scientific evidence
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.
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Grade*
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Hereditary sideroblastic anemia
Pyridoxine supplements are effective for treating hereditary sideroblastic anemia under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
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A
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Preventing adverse effects in people taking cycloserine (Seromycin®)
Cycloserine is a prescription antibiotic that may cause anemia, peripheral neuritis, or seizures by acting as a pyridoxine antagonist or increasing excretion of pyridoxine. Requirements for pyridoxine may be increased in patients receiving cycloserine. Pyridoxine may be recommended by a healthcare provider to prevent these adverse effects.
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A
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Pyridoxine deficiency/ neuritis
Pyridoxine supplements are effective for preventing and treating pyridoxine deficiency and neuritis due to inadequate dietary intake, certain disease states, or deficiency induced by drugs such as isoniazid (INH) or penicillamine. Dietary supplements should be taken under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider.
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A
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Pyridoxine-dependent seizures in newborns
Pyridoxine-dependent seizures in newborns can result from the use of high-dose pyridoxine in pregnant mothers or from genetic (autosomal recessive) pyridoxine dependency. Refractory seizures in newborns that are caused by pyridoxine dependence may be controlled quickly with intravenous administration of pyridoxine by a qualified healthcare provider.
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A
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Akathisia (movement disorder)
Some prescription drugs called neuroleptics, which are used in certain psychiatric conditions, may cause movement disorders as an unwanted side effect. Vitamin B6 has been studied for the treatment of acute neuroleptic-induced akathisia (NIA) in schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorder patients. Preliminary results indicate that high doses of vitamin B6 may be useful additions to the available treatments for NIA, perhaps due to its combined effects on various neurotransmitter systems. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
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C
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Angioplasty
There are conflicting findings about the potential benefit or harm of taking folic acid plus vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 following angioplasty. Further research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.
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C
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Asthma
Preliminary research suggests that children with severe asthma might have inadequate pyridoxine status. Theophylline, a prescription drug used to help manage asthma, seems to lower pyridoxine levels. Studies of pyridoxine supplementation in asthma patients taking theophylline yield conflicting results. Further research is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.
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C
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Some research suggests that pyridoxine supplementation alone or in combination with high doses of other B vitamins might help ADHD. Other studies show no benefit. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.
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C
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Birth outcomes
Studies of birth outcomes with vitamin B6 supplementation during pregnancy yield mixed results. Further well-designed clinical trials might be helpful in this area.
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C
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Cancer prevention
There is data supporting the claim that vitamin B6 lowers the risk of colon cancer. Supplementation with a combination of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 did not decrease the risk of breast cancer. There is evidence that male smokers with higher serum levels of pyridoxine may have a lower risk of lung cancer. Well-designed clinical trials of pyridoxine supplementation are needed to confirm these results and supplementation is not standard therapy at this time.
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C
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Cardiovascular disease / hyperhomocysteinemia
High homocysteine levels in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, blood clotting abnormalities, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and ischemic stroke. Taking pyridoxine supplements alone or in combination with folic acid has been shown to be effective for lowering homocysteine levels. However, it is not clear if lowering homocysteine levels results in reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Until definitive data is available, the current recommendation is screening of 40 year-old men and 50 year-old women for hyperhomocysteinemia.Decreased pyridoxine concentrations are also associated with increased plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is an indicator of inflammation that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity in epidemiologic studies.In a large, long-term study, a combination pill containing folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in high-risk women. Investigation of more renal transplant recipients undergoing treatment with vitamin B6 is needed as study results conflict.
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C
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
Preliminary data suggests that large doses of vitamin B6 may be helpful for carpal tunnel syndrome. Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
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C
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Depression
Preliminary evidence suggests that because pyridoxine increases serotonin and GABA levels in the blood, it may benefit people in dysphoric mental states. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm potential benefit.
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C
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Hyperkinetic cerebral dysfunction syndrome
There is preliminary evidence that pyridoxine supplementation might benefit hyperkinetic children who have low levels of blood serotonin. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
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C
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Immune system function
Vitamin B6 is important for immune system function in older individuals. One study found that the amount of vitamin B6 required to reverse immune system impairments in elderly people was more than the current recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Well-designed clinical trials on vitamin B6 supplementation for this indication are needed before a recommendation can be made.
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C
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Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)
Pyridoxine alone, or taken with magnesium, may decrease urinary oxalate levels, which can contribute to a certain type of kidney stones. Higher pyridoxine intake has been associated with decreased risk of kidney stone formation in women but not in men with no history of stone formation. Benefit has not been proven in other types of kidney stones such as those associated with high urinary calcium, phosphorus, and creatinine. Further data is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
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C
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Lactation suppression
Studies of pyridoxine used to suppress lactation have yielded mixed results. Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
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C
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Pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting
Studies of the use of pyridoxine alone or in combination with other anti-nausea treatments in pregnant women yield conflicting results. Further research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.
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C
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Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
There is some evidence that taking pyridoxine orally may improve symptoms of PMS such as breast pain or tenderness (mastalgia) and PMS-related depression or anxiety in some patients. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.
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C
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Preventing vitamin B6 deficiency associated with taking birth control pills
The need for vitamin B6 supplementation in women taking birth control pills has not been proven although some studies show decreased pyridoxine levels in these women. Supplementation of B6 should be approached cautiously since the long-term effect of such therapy is uncertain.
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C
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Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements)
Pyridoxine has some antioxidant effects, which theoretically may benefit patients with tardive dyskinesia. Results from a small high-quality trial suggest a benefit of vitamin B6 on symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.
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C
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Autism
Studies of B6 supplementation alone or in combination with magnesium have not been shown to definitively benefit autism. Autism should be treated by a qualified healthcare provider.
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D
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Stroke reoccurrence
Pyridoxine alone or in combination with B12 and folic acid orally does not seem to be useful for preventing stroke recurrence.
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D
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