Vitamin B6
Also known as p5p, pyridoxal, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, pyridoxamine
Key takeaways
- Vitamin B6 is effective for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (PMID: 26039815).
- B-vitamin supplementation does not significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events (PMID: 23335472).
- Combined B vitamins with diclofenac may improve outcomes for low back pain (PMID: 31529101).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 153 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble micronutrient involved in numerous metabolic processes, including nervous system development. Research indicates it is most effective for managing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, though evidence for cardiovascular and cognitive benefits is mixed or insufficient.
By condition
Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
Strong
Multiple meta-analyses and systematic reviews support the use of B6 for reducing pregnancy-related nausea.
Cardiovascular Disease
Weak
Large-scale meta-analyses suggest that B6 and other B vitamins do not significantly prevent cardiovascular events despite lowering homocysteine.
Cognitive Function/Alzheimer's
Insufficient
Evidence is limited and inconsistent regarding the ability of B6 to improve cognition or brain function in Alzheimer's patients.
Low Back Pain
Moderate
B vitamins, when combined with diclofenac, may be effective for managing low back pain.
Febrile Seizures
Insufficient
Cochrane reviews indicate a lack of evidence for B6 as a prophylactic management for febrile seizures in children.
Effective doses
Specific dose ranges were not provided in the provided abstracts; typically administered as pyridoxine for nausea and in combination with other B vitamins for pain management.
Safety & interactions
Generally safe, but high doses over long periods may lead to sensory neuropathy; consult a provider regarding interactions with medications.
Limitations
Many studies on B6 are part of multi-nutrient combinations, making it difficult to isolate the specific effect of B6. There is a lack of high-quality evidence for its use in treating febrile seizures and cognitive decline.
Dietary Reference Intakes
Source: IOM/NAM · Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
| Measure | Value | Description |
|---|
Top-rated Vitamin B6 products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
Drug–supplement interactions
4 documented interactions
| Drug | Severity | Mechanism | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altretamine | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Altretamine | ddinter-verified |
| Anticonvulsants | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Phenytoin | ddinter-verified |
| Levodopa | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Levodopa | ddinter-verified |
| Phenobarbital | Moderate | Interaction identified from DDInter 2.0 database. Specific drugs: Phenobarbital | ddinter-verified |
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 1,630 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 153 sources, sorted by quality
**Myung et al., 2013** | BMJ | Meta Analysis Myung Seung-Kwon, Ju Woong, ... Park Byung-Joo. Efficacy of vitamin and antioxidant supplements in prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controll…
**Martí-Carvajal et al., 2009** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Martí-Carvajal Arturo J, Solà Ivan, ... Salanti Georgia. Homocysteine lowering interventions for preventing cardiovascular events. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009…
**Jayedi et al., 2019** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis Jayedi Ahmad, Zargar Mahdieh Sadat. Intake of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of pr…
**Qiu et al., 2024** | Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis Qiu Yu, Li Cantao, ... Xia Daozong. Exploring the causal associations of micronutrients on urate levels and the risk of gout: A Mendelian randomization study. Clin Nutr. 2024-Apr;43(4):1001-1…
BACKGROUND: Vitamin B6 plays vital roles in numerous metabolic processes in the human body, such as nervous system development and functioning. It has been associated with some benefits in non-randomised studies, such as higher Apgar scores…
**Offringa et al., 2021** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Offringa Martin, Newton Richard, ... Vraka Katerina. Prophylactic drug management for febrile seizures in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021-Jun-16;6(6):CD003031…
**McParlin et al., 2016** | JAMA | Systematic Review McParlin Catherine, O'Donnell Amy, ... Vale Luke. Treatments for Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. JAMA. 2016-Oct-04;316(13):1392-1401. doi…
**Albrahim et al., 2020** | Neurosciences (Riyadh) | Meta Analysis Albrahim Tarfa. The potential role of nutritional components in improving brain function among patients with Alzheimers disease: a meta-analysis of RCT studies. Neuroscience…
BACKGROUND: Vitamin B6 plays vital roles in numerous metabolic processes in the human body, such as nervous system development and functioning. It has been associated with some benefits in non-randomised studies, such as higher Apgar scores…
INTRODUCTION: Nausea and vomiting (NV) affect up to 85% of pregnant women, which has multiple effects on pregnancy outcome. The truth etiology of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is still unknown. Considering the potential teratogenic…
Frequently asked questions
What is Vitamin B6 and what are its main health uses?
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble micronutrient involved in metabolic processes and nervous system development. It is most effective for managing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, where evidence is strong. Research for other uses, such as cardiovascular or cognitive benefits, is mixed or insufficient.
Does Vitamin B6 help with nausea during pregnancy?
Yes, multiple meta-analyses and systematic reviews provide strong evidence that Vitamin B6 reduces pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. It is considered an effective treatment for this condition. However, you should always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen during pregnancy.
Can Vitamin B6 prevent heart disease or lower homocysteine levels?
While Vitamin B6 may lower homocysteine levels, large-scale meta-analyses show weak evidence that it significantly prevents cardiovascular events. Research indicates that B vitamins do not substantially reduce the risk of heart issues despite this biochemical change. Consult a doctor for personalized cardiovascular advice.
Is Vitamin B6 effective for low back pain?
There is moderate evidence suggesting that B vitamins, when combined with the pain reliever diclofenac, may help manage low back pain. However, evidence for Vitamin B6 alone is not explicitly defined for this use. You should consult a healthcare provider to determine if this combination is appropriate for your pain management.
What are the safety risks and side effects of taking Vitamin B6?
Vitamin B6 is generally safe, but high doses taken over long periods may lead to sensory neuropathy. Individuals should be cautious with dosage and monitor for neurological symptoms. Always consult a healthcare provider to determine a safe dosage and avoid potential nerve damage.
Who should avoid taking Vitamin B6 supplements?
Individuals taking certain medications should consult a provider regarding potential interactions, as high doses can cause nerve damage. Pregnant women should use it only under medical guidance for nausea, and those with kidney issues or neurological conditions should exercise caution. Always speak with a healthcare professional before starting supplementation.
Does Vitamin B6 help with cognitive function or Alzheimer's disease?
Evidence is insufficient and inconsistent regarding the ability of Vitamin B6 to improve cognition or brain function in Alzheimer's patients. Research does not currently support its use for cognitive enhancement in this context. Consult a healthcare provider for evidence-based treatments for cognitive decline.