Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, carries out a variety of important functions. Numerous foods have been fortified with or naturally contain this nutrient, and most people can easily meet their body's requirement for B6 through their diet. A deficiency, the presence of certain health problems like elevated homocysteine levels or the use of certain medications might necessitate supplementation. Not all of the suggested uses for B6 supplements have conclusive scientific evidence behind them, however. If you feel B6 would help address a particular health concern, talk to your doctor about the appropriate dosage for your needs as some conditions might require higher amounts that carry a risk of certain side effects. Working with your doctor will allow him to monitor you for any adverse effects.
Suggested Dosages
The suggested dosage for a B6 supplement will depend on your reason for taking it, which underscores the importance of professional guidance. MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, notes the following daily dosages have been studied in scientific research: B6 deficiency: 2.5 to 25 mg for three weeks followed by 1.5 mg to 2.5 mg for maintenance; vitamin b6 deficiency due to birth control: 25 mg to 30 mg; premenstrual syndrome: 50 mg to 100 mg; kidney stones: 25 mg to 500 mg; macular degeneration: 50 mg. This does not entail an exhaustive list of the conditions that might benefit from B6 supplementation. If looking to take B6 for general health purposes, you would not likely require a daily dosage beyond what you would find in a B-complex supplement.
Cautions
The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions against taking more than 100 mg daily without your doctor's supervision and notes doses of 200 mg or more have resulted in loss of feeling in the extremities. Other symptoms of toxicity include problems with muscle coordination, such as jerky or involuntary movements and impaired reflexes. Taking lower doses will likely pose little risk, but watch for any unusual symptoms after starting B6 supplementation, regardless of the dosage.
Side Effects
Like drugs, natural supplements -- even vitamins -- can carry a risk of adverse reactions. Potential side effects from B6 usage include skin reactions, sensitivity to light, abdominal pain, headache, sleepiness and reduced appetite.
Medication Interactions
Using vitamin B6 if you take certain medications can lead to negative effects like increased risk of side effects or decreased effectiveness of the drugs. B6 can negatively interact with phenytoin, amiodarone and phenobarbitol. If you take both levodopa and carbidopa to control Parkinson's disease, you can probably use B6 supplements as carbidopa helps prevent the accelerated breakdown of levodopa triggered by B6 supplementation. Do not take B6, however, if you only use levodopa.
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