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Pyridoxine (PN) is a form of vitamin B<sub>6</sub> found commonly in food and used as a dietary supplement. As a supplement it is used to treat and prevent pyridoxine deficiency, sideroblastic anaemia, pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy, certain metabolic disorders, side effects or complications of isoniazid use, and certain types of mushroom poisoning. Sources in the diet include meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, and grain.
Medical uses
As a treatment (oral or injection), it is used to treat or prevent pyridoxine deficiency, sideroblastic anaemia, pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy, certain metabolic disorders, side effects of isoniazid treatment and certain types of mushroom poisoning. Co-treatment with vitamin B<sub>6</sub> alleviates the numbness. Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy is a type of rare infant epilepsy that does not improve with typical anti-seizure medications.
Pyridoxine in combination with doxylamine is used as a treatment for morning sickness in pregnant women.
Side effects
It is usually well tolerated, though overdose toxicity is possible. Healthy human blood levels of pyridoxine are 2.1–21.7 ng/mL. Normal doses are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. while another source indicates half-life of vitamin B<sub>6</sub> is in range of 25 to 33 days. After considering the different sources, it can be concluded that the half-life of pyridoxine is typically measured in several weeks. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Pyridoxine is available both as a generic medication and over the counter product.