Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Class: Vitamin B Complex
VA Class: VT109
Chemical Name: 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-bis (hydroxymethyl) pyridine hydrochloride
CAS Number: 58-56-0

Introduction

Water-soluble, B complex vitamin.^a

Uses for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Pyridoxine Deficiency

Treatment of vitamin B₆ deficiency.^{a b}

Dietary Requirements

Adequate intake needed to prevent vitamin B₆ deficiency.¹⁵⁷

Adequate intake of pyridoxine can be accomplished through consumption of fortified ready-to-eat cereals; meals containing substantial portions of meat, fish, or poultry; white potatoes and other starchy vegetable; and noncitrus fruits.¹⁵⁷

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) in adults based on a plasma pyridoxal phosphate concentration of 5 ng/mL.¹⁵⁷

Adequate intake (AI) established for infants ≤6 months of age based on observed mean vitamin B₆ intake of infants fed principally human milk; AI for infants 7–12 months of age based on AI for younger infants and data in adults.¹⁵⁷

RDA for children 1–18 years of age based on data in adults.¹⁵⁷

Pyridoxine-dependent Seizures

Treatment of pyridoxine-dependent seizures.^{159 a b}

Metabolic Disorders

Xanthurenic aciduria, cystathioninuria, and homocystinuria resulting from genetic abnormalities may respond to high doses of pyridoxine.^a

Prevention or Treatment of Drug-induced Neurotoxicity

Prevent or treat neuropathy in patients receiving isoniazid.^{a b} Pyridoxine prophylaxis recommended in isoniazid-treated individuals with nutritional deficiency (e.g., meat and milk-deficient diet), diabetes mellitus, HIV infection, renal failure, alcoholism, and in exclusively breast-fed infants, pregnant women, and lactating women.^{c d}

Also has been used to prevent or treat neurotoxic adverse effects (e.g., peripheral neuropathy) associated with ethionamide or capecitabine.^{a b}

Adjunct for treatment of acute toxicity resulting from isoniazid overdosage.^{a b}

Mushroom Toxicity

Adjunct for treatment of acute toxicity caused by mushrooms† of the genus Gyromitra.^{153 154 155} Used to correct marked neurologic effects (e.g., seizures, coma) induced by methylhydrazine (produced by hydrolysis of the toxins in these mushrooms).^{153 154 155}

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Dosage and Administration

Administration

Usually administered orally.^a May be administered by IM, IV, or sub-Q injection when oral administration is not feasible.^{a b}

Dosage

Available as pyridoxine hydrochloride; dosage expressed in terms of pyridoxine hydrochloride.^{a b}

Pediatric Patients

Dietary and Replacement Requirements

Oral

Infants ≤6 months of age: Recommended AI is 0.1 mg (0.01 mg/kg) daily.¹⁵⁷

Infants 7–12 months of age: Recommended AI is 0.3 mg (0.03 mg/kg) daily.¹⁵⁷

Children 1–3 years of age: RDA is 0.5 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Children 4–8 years of age: RDA is 0.6 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Children 9–13 years of age: RDA is 1 mg of daily.¹⁵⁷

Boys 14–18 years of age: RDA is 1.3 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Girls 14–18 years of age: RDA is 1.2 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Pyridoxine-dependent Seizures

Oral

Maintenance following parenteral administration: 2–100 mg daily has been recommended.^a

IM or IV

10–100 mg has been recommended.^a Follow with lifelong oral pyridoxine.^a

Adults

Pyridoxine Deficiency

Oral

2.5–10 mg daily.^a

After clinical signs of deficiency are corrected, administer a multivitamin preparation containing 2–5 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride once daily for several weeks.^a

IM or IV

10–20 mg daily for 3 weeks.^b

Follow with a multivitamin preparation containing 2–5 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride once daily for several weeks.^b

Dietary and Replacement Requirements

Oral

Men and women 19–50 years of age: RDA is 1.3 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Men ≥51 years of age: RDA is 1.7 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Women ≥51 years of age: RDA is 1.5 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Prevention of Drug-induced Neurotoxicity

Oral

CDC recommends 25 mg daily for certain isoniazid-treated patients.^c

Isoniazid Overdose

IV followed by IM

Ingestion of >10 g of isoniazid: Dose of pyridoxine hydrochloride equals the amount of isoniazid ingested.^b

Initially, 4 g IV; followed by 1 g IM every 30 minutes until the entire dose has been given.^b

Mushroom Toxicity†

IV

25 mg/kg infused over 15–30 minutes and repeated as necessary to control effects up to a maximum cumulative dose of 15–20 g daily has been suggested.^{153 154 155}

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Long-term (> 2 months) administration of large dosages (≥ 2 g daily) can cause sensory neuropathy or neuronopathy syndromes.^{115 120 123}

Special Populations

Pregnant Women

RDA for pregnant women is 1.9 mg daily.¹⁵⁷

Lactating Women

RDA for lactating women is 2 mg daily.¹⁵⁷ Requirements increased in lactating women to ensure adequate concentration of the vitamin in milk (130 ng/mL).¹⁵⁷

Cautions for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Contraindications

• 
  

  Known sensitivity to pyridoxine or any ingredient in the formulation.^b

  
  


• 
  

  According to one manufacturer, pyridoxine should not be administered IV to patients with heart disease.^a

  
  

Warnings/Precautions

General Precautions

Aluminum Content

Some pyridoxine hydrochloride injection preparations contain aluminum that may be toxic.^b Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired.^b Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum.^b

Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum >4–5 mcg/kg daily accumulate aluminum at levels associated with CNS and bone toxicity.^b Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.^b

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category A.^b

Lactation

Distributed into milk.¹⁵⁷ Caution if parenteral preparation is used in nursing women.^b

Pediatric Use

Parenteral preparation: Safety and efficacy not established.^b

Common Adverse Effects

Usually nontoxic; adverse neurologic effects, nausea, headache, paresthesia, somnolence, increased serum AST, decreased serum folic acid concentrations.^a

Interactions for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

For information regarding isoniazid, see Prevention or Treatment of Drug-induced Neurotoxicity under Uses and Prevention of Drug-induced Neurotoxicity and Isoniazid Overdosage under Dosage and Administration.

Specific Drugs and Laboratory Tests

Drug	Interaction	Comments
Anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, phenytoin)	Decreased plasma concentrations of the anticonvulsanta
Levodopa	Pyridoxine interferes with therapeutic effect of levodopaa	Interaction does not occur with levodopa/carbidopaa
Test for urobilinogen using Ehrlich's reagent	Possible false-positive resulta

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Readily absorbed from the GI tract.^a

Distribution

Extent

Stored mainly in liver with lesser amounts in muscle and brain.¹⁵⁷

Crosses the placenta; plasma concentrations in the fetus 5 times greater than maternal plasma concentrations.^a Distributed into milk.¹⁵⁷

Plasma Protein Binding

Highly protein bound.^a

Elimination

Metabolism

Metabolized to 4-pyridoxic acid in the liver.^b

Elimination Route

Metabolite excreted in urine.^b

Half-life

15-20 days.^b

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

Well-closed container at <40°C ; maintain at 15–30°C.^a Protect from light.^a

Parenteral

Solution

20–25°C. ^b Protect from light.^b

ActionsActions

• 
  

  An exogenous source of vitamin B₆ is required for amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism.^{a b}

  
  


• 
  

  Natural substances with vitamin B₆ activity are pyridoxine in plants and pyridoxal and pyridoxamine in animals.^b

  
  


• 
  

  Pyridoxamine phosphate and pyridoxal phosphate are active forms of the vitamin.^b

  
  

Advice to Patients

• 
  

  Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs as well as concomitant illness.^a

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of proper dietary habits, including taking appropriate AI or RDA of vitamin B₆.^a

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.^a

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.^a (See Cautions.)

  
  

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Routes	Dosage Forms	Strengths	Brand Names	Manufacturer
Bulk	Powder*
Oral	Tablets	10 mg*
		25 mg*
		50 mg*
		100 mg*
		200 mg*
		250 mg*
		500 mg*
	Tablets, extended-release	200 mg*
Parenteral	Injection	100 mg/mL*

Pyridoxine hydrochloride also is commercially available in combination with other vitamins, minerals, amino acids, infant formulas, and protein supplements. For IV infusion, pyridoxine hydrochloride is also commercially available in combination with other vitamins in caloric and electrolyte solutions.^a

Comparative Pricing

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 05/2011. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Pyridoxine HCl 50MG Tablets (RUGBY): 100/$12.99 or 200/$14.98

Vitamin B-6 100MG Tablets (MAJOR PHARMACEUTICALS): 100/$13.99 or 200/$16.97

Disclaimer

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com represent that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com do not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2011, Selected Revisions September 01, 2007. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

References

115. Schaumburg H, Kaplan J, Windebank A et al. Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse: a new megavitamin syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1983; 309:445-8. [IDIS 174436] [PubMed 6308447]

116. Wilcken DEL, Wilcken B, Dudman NPB et al. Homocystinuria—the effects of betaine in the treatment of patients not responsive to pyridoxine. N Engl J Med. 1983; 309:448-53. [IDIS 174437] [PubMed 6877313]

117. Watson S, Lacouture PG, Lovejoy FH. Single high-dose pyridoxine treatment for isoniazid overdose. JAMA. 1981; 246:1102-4. [IDIS 136765] [PubMed 7265398]

120. Schaumburg H. Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. N Engl J Med. 1984; 310:197-8. [IDIS 179979] [PubMed 6318110]

121. Krinke G, Schaumburg HH, Spencer PS et al. Pyridoxine megavitaminosis produces degeneration of peripheral sensory neurons (sensory neuronopathy) in the dog. Neurotoxicology. 1981; 2:13-24. [PubMed 15622720]

122. Berger A, Schaumburg HH. More on neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. N Engl J Med. 1984; 311:986-7. [IDIS 191124] [PubMed 6472428]

123. Vasile A, Goldberg R, Kornberg B. Pyridoxine toxicity: report of a case. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1984; 83:790-1. [PubMed 6469731]

124. Phillips WEJ, Mills JHL, Charbonneau SM et al. Subacute toxicity of pyridoxine hydrochloride in the beagle dog. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1978; 44:323-33. [PubMed 675705]

125. Dalton K. Pyridoxine overdose in premenstrual syndrome. Lancet. 1985; 1:1168-9. [IDIS 201001] [PubMed 2860378]

126. Premenstrual syndrome: a report by the American Council on Science and Health. Meister KA, ed. Summit, NJ: American Council on Science and Health; 1985; (Jul):13-5.

127. Abraham GE. Nutritional factors in the etiology of the premenstrual tension syndromes. J Reprod Med. 1983; 28:446-64. [PubMed 6684167]

128. Pariser SF, Stern SL, Shank ML et al. Premenstrual syndrome: concerns, controversies, and treatment. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1985; 153:599-604. [IDIS 209470] [PubMed 3933354]

129. Stokes JW, Mendels J. Pyridoxine and premenstrual tension. Lancet. 1972; 1:1177-8. [PubMed 4113076]

130. Hagen I, Nesheim BI, Tuntland T. No effect of vitamin B-6 against premenstrual tension: a controlled clinical study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1985; 64:667-70. [PubMed 3914180]

131. Williams MJ, Harris RI, Dean BC. Controlled trial of pyridoxine in the premenstrual syndrome. J Int Med Res. 1985; 13:174-9. [PubMed 3891456]

132. Chakmakjian ZH. A critical assessment of therapy for the premenstrual tension syndrome. J Reprod Med. 1983; 28:532-8. [PubMed 6415280]

133. Brush MG, Perry M. Pyridoxine and the premenstrual syndrome. Lancet. 1:1399. Letter.

150. Yendt ER, Cohanim M. Response to a physiologic dose of pyridoxine in type I primary hyperoxaluria. N Engl J Med. 1985; 312:953-7. [IDIS 198722] [PubMed 3974685]

151. Harati Y, Niakan E. Hydrazine toxicity, pyridoxine therapy, and peripheral neuropathy. Ann Intern Med. 1986; 104:728-9. [IDIS 215761] [PubMed 3008620]

152. de Zegher F, Przyrembel H et al. Successful treatment of infantile type I primary hyperoxaluria complicated by pyridoxine toxicity. Lancet. 1985; 2:392-3.

153. Hanrahan JP, Gordon MA. Mushroom poisoning: case reports and a review of therapy. JAMA. 1984; 251:1057-61. [IDIS 181450] [PubMed 6420582]

154. Gosselin RE, Smith RP, Hodge HC. Clinical toxicology of commercial products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1984:II-247,III-294-5.

155. George ME, Pinkerton MK, Back KC. Therapeutics of monomethylhydrazine intoxication. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1982; 63:201-8. [PubMed 7089971]

156. National Research Council Food and Nutrition Board Subcommittee on the Tenth Edition of the RDAs. Recommended dietary allowances. 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1989:142-50.

157. Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes of the Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences. Dietary reference intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B₆, folate, vitamin B₁₂, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1998. (Prepublication copy uncorrected proofs.)

158. Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics. 1997 Red book: report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 24th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Acdemy of Pediatrics; 1997:344-7.

159. Gospe SM. Current perspectives on pyridoxine-dependent seizures. J Pediatr. 1998; 132:919-23. [IDIS 408667] [PubMed 9627579]

160. Rimm EB, Willett WC, Hu FB et al. Folate and vitamin B₆ from diet and supplements in relation to risk of coronary heart disease among women. JAMA. 1998; 279:359-64. [IDIS 399268] [PubMed 9459468]

161. McCully KS. Homocysteine, folate, vitamin B₆, and cardiovascular disease. JAMA. 1998; 279:392-3. [IDIS 399272] [PubMed 9459475]

162. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and treatment of tuberculosis among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: principles of therapy and revised recommendations. MMWR. 1998; 47(No. RR-20):1-58.

163. Berg D. Managing the side effects of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Semin Oncol. 1998; 25(Suppl 11):53-9. [PubMed 9786317]

164. Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting. 56th meeting. Bethesda, MD: Food and Drug Administration; 1998 Mar 19.

165. Schless JM, Allison RF, Inglis RM et al. The use of ethionamide in combined drug regimens in the retreatment of isoniazid-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. Am Rev Resp Dis. 1965; 91:728-37. [PubMed 14280946]

166. Wyeth. Trecator-SC (ethionamide) tablets prescribing information. In: Physicians’ desk reference. 54th ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company Inc; 2000:3327-8.

a. AHFS drug information 2007. McEvoy GK, ed. Pyrodoxine. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists; 2007: 3624-6.

b. Abraxis Pharmaceuticals. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride injection prescribing information. Schaumburg, IL; 2005 Jun.

c. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment of tuberculosis, American Thoracic Society, CDC, and Infectious Diseases Society of America. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003; 52(No. RR-11):1-77.

d. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2006 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 27th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2006.

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