vitamin Vitamins Oral

Vitamin B6

A water-soluble vitamin crucial for protein metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and red blood cell formation.

Sci.Pyridoxine and related vitamers pyridoxine hcl/pyridoxal-5-phosphate pyridoxine hcl/pyridoxal-5-phosphate complex pyridoxine hydrochloride pyridoxal-5-phosphate pyridoxine/pyridoxal-5-phosphate Vitamin B6 (various) pyridoxine hcl pyridoxal-5-phosphate
6 forms
Oral

About Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that exists in several interconvertible forms, primarily pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine, along with their phosphorylated derivatives. It serves as an essential cofactor in over 150 enzymatic reactions, predominantly in amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, glycogenolysis, hemoglobin formation, and immune function. It is also involved in homocysteine metabolism and gene expression regulation.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

Dietary Supplement Label Database

Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).

DSLD group id
3504

At a glance

Suggested daily

Adult RDA: 1.3 mg for ages 19-50, 1.5 mg for women over 50, 1.7 mg for men over 50.

Max safe daily

UL for adults: 100 mg per day from supplements and fortified foods.

Approval status

supplement

Compare All Forms

6 forms

Compare supplement forms of Vitamin B6 by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (PLP)

Active form of Vitamin B6; essential cofactor for numerous e...

  • UNII: 5V5IOJ8338
  • CAS: 54-47-7
  • Label category: synthetic
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Vitamin B6 (P-5-P)

Active form of Vitamin B6; essential for protein metabolism...

  • UNII: 5V5IOJ8338
  • CAS: 54-47-7
  • Label category: Synthetic
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Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal)

Essential B-vitamin; active coenzyme form; supports protein...

  • UNII: 5V5IOJ8338
  • CAS: 66-72-8
  • DSLD group id: 9721
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Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)

Active coenzyme form of Vitamin B6; does not require liver a...

  • UNII: 5V5IOJ8338
  • CAS: 54-47-7
  • DSLD group id: 9724
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Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)

Essential vitamin for metabolism, nerve function, and red bl...

  • UNII: 68Y4CF58BV
  • CAS: 58-56-0
  • DSLD group id: 3409
  • Label category: synthetic
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Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Essential vitamin for metabolism, nerve function, and red bl...

  • UNII: KV2JZ1BI6Z
  • CAS: 65-23-6 (pyridoxine); 58-56-0 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
  • DSLD group id: 3377
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Also appears on labels as

Additional names seen on supplement labels for forms of this ingredient (beyond the main aliases above).

3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylisonicotinaldehyde, Adermine, clorhidrato de piridoxina, Codecarboxylase, organic pyridoxine, P-5-P, P5P, PL, PLP, pyridoxal, Pyridoxal 5-phosphate, pyridoxal hcl, Pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxine, Pyridoxine 5-phosphate, pyridoxine b-6, pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxine powder, Pyridoxol, pyrodoxal, pyrodoxine hcl, vitamin b, vitamin b-6, vitamin b-6 {complex}, vitamin b6, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal), Vitamin B6 phosphate, vitamin b6/pyridoxine

Type: Vitamins

Organic compounds essential for normal growth and nutrition. Required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body.

Absorption: Fat-soluble vitamins require dietary fat for absorption. Water-soluble vitamins are generally well-absorbed but excess amounts are excreted.

Interactions: Some vitamins can interfere with medications. Fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate in the body.

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • May interact with certain medications such as isoniazid and penicillamine, affecting their efficacy.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Vitamin B6 forms:

Cognitive Function Mood Regulation PMS Relief Protein & Amino Acid Metabolism Neurotransmitter Synthesis Homocysteine Metabolism

And 25 more benefits...

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Vitamin B6 forms:

Neuropathy How serious: Severe Gastrointestinal Discomfort How serious: low Neuropathy (High Dose) How serious: high Photosensitivity How serious: low Sensory Neuropathy How serious: high Gastrointestinal Distress How serious: low

And 4 more side effects...

What does the research say?

Vitamin B6 has been shown to play a critical role in amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis, with deficiencies linked to various health issues, including anemia and neurological disorders.