Uses of Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is a supplement for vitamin B6. As a member of the B vitamin group, pyridoxine plays an important role in several critical biochemical functions. The primary use of pyridoxine hydrochloride is to supplement low levels of vitamin B6, so pyridoxine's role in the body needs to be examined.

Definition

• Vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin that is easily absorbed into the bloodstream and transported through the body. Vitamin B6 is available in the body in three forms, pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. It works as a coenzyme, which means that it is necessary for enzymes to fill their functions, and enzymes are absolutely essential to start the chemical reactions that support the body's ability to operate.

Functions

• As an enzyme pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is required for the production of amino acids. It also functions in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It is needed to initiate the chemical reactions that convert the body's stored glycogen into glucose so that it can be turned into a source of energy. Vitamins B12, B9, and B6 work together to lower the levels of homocysteine in the blood. Another important use for vitamin B6 is that it assists in the production of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are needed for normal brain function. Vitamin B6 must be present for melatonin (controls sleep/wake cycles) and hemoglobin (carries oxygen in the blood) to be manufactured.

Sources

• Vitamin B6 is found in a wide variety of foods including fortified cereals, beans, meat, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables. Ready-to-eat cereal that is 100 percent fortified provides all of the daily value for B6. The four foods that naturally contain the most B6 are potatoes (35 percent), bananas (34 percent), garbanzo beans (30 percent), and chicken breast (25 percent). For a complete list of foods and daily requirements, see NIH Office of Dietary Supplements listed in References. Of course, vitamin B6 is also available as the supplement pyridoxine hydrochloride. B6 supplements have the potential to interact negatively with medications so they should be taken under the supervision of a physician. It is unusual with water-soluble vitamins because excess amounts are simply excreted in the urine, but very high doses of B6 taken for a long time can cause neurological disorders, allergic skin reactions, sensitivity to sunlight, nausea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.

Deficiencies

• Because it lowers the amount of homocysteine, low dietary intake of vitamin B6 is associated with a higher risk of heart disease. Low levels of vitamin B6 have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Deficiencies of B6 affect the skin by causing dermatitis, result in a smooth tongue and in the extreme can affect the nervous system.

Research

• As of September 2009, the website ClinicalTrials.gov listed 79 research studies of pyridoxine in various stages, with some just recruiting while others had finished collecting data. Many different universities and medical centers are testing the potential effectiveness of vitamin B6 in preventing stroke, venous thrombosis, hand-foot syndrome and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. It is also being studied as a treatment for nausea during pregnancy, tardive dyskinesea, schizophrenia, tuberculosis in patients with HIV and in children with ADHD.