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What Is D Calcium Pantothenate?

Jun 1, 2011 | By Allison Adams

D calcium pantothenate is a synthetic substance made from pantothenic acid and sold as vitamin B-5 supplements. Vitamin B-5 is one of the eight B vitamins and an essential nutrient your body uses to create energy and break down carbohydrates and fats. Your body requires the B-complex vitamins including B-5 to carry out many nervous system functions. Doctors also prescribe D calcium pantothenate as a treatment for acne and morning stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Acne Treatment

According to "Pathogenesis and Treatment of Acne and Rosacea," deficiency of vitamin B-5 is a common cause of acne. Vitamin B-5 deficiency can lead to hyperactive oil glands that produce acne. These glands clog the skin, trapping bacteria and producing pimples and blackheads. Taking a D calcium pantothenate supplement can reduce teenage and adult acne breakouts in some individuals. Speak with a medical professional prior to taking a D calcium pantothenate supplement due to some moderate to severe side effects associated with the use of this supplement to treat acne. Common side effects include hair loss, dry skin and eyes, and frequent bowel movements.

Benefits

Your body uses B-5 to manufacture red blood cells and sex- and stress-related hormones in your adrenal glands. Additionally, according to "Pathogenesis and Treatment of Acne and Rosacea," vitamin B-5 can reduce the healing time of wounds if you apply a small amount of D calcium pantothenate ointment on the site of the wound. Further, according to "What You Must Know About Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, & More: Choosing the Nutrients That Are Right for You," D calcium pantothenate may help to reduce triglycerides in your blood, lower LDLs -- the bad cholesterol -- and raise HDLs, the good cholesterol.

Available Forms

You can find vitamin B-5 in multivitamins and B-complex vitamins. Additionally, you can purchase an individual B-5 vitamin supplement. You can take vitamin B-5 in tablet, softgel or capsule form. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, the daily recommended dose of vitamin B-5 is 5 mg for adults 14 years of age and older and 6 mg for pregnant women. Speak with a medical professional prior to taking any supplement including D calcium pantothenate.

Deficiency and Side Effects

According to "User's Guide to the B-Complex Vitamins," vitamin B-5 deficiencies are not common. However, taking too much of one kind of a B vitamin can cause an imbalance of the other B vitamins. You can avoid this imbalance by taking a B-complex vitamin. Vitamin B-5 also interferes with the absorption and effectiveness of the antibiotic tetracycline. Additionally, vitamin B-5 may affect some drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease.

References

Article reviewed by S.C. Ville Last updated on: Jun 1, 2011

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