Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Oral/Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection to treat or prevent problems caused by lack of vitamin B-6. Take it exactly as directed.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vitamin

Generic and brand names: pyridoxine hydrochloride, oral; pyridoxine hydrochloride, injection; vitamin B-6

What is this medicine used for?

This vitamin (also known as vitamin B-6) is needed for good health. It helps the body process proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Vitamin B-6 is found in some foods or may be taken as a dietary supplement. This vitamin is used to prevent or treat deficiency of vitamin B-6 caused by a poor diet, some medicines, or by certain medical conditions.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Kidney disease (if you are taking injection form of this medicine)

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding before taking this medicine.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Too much vitamin B-6 can result in nerve damage to the arms and legs. Take large doses only if your healthcare provider tells you to do so.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

This medicine comes in regular and extended release formulations. Swallow extended-release forms of this medicine whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended release form of this medicine.

Injections of this medicine will be given by a healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Tingling, numbness, or pain in your hands or feet; clumsiness; severe nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting; pain or irritation at the injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Altretamine (Hexalen)
• Antiseizure medicines such as phenobarbital and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
• Levodopa/carbidopa (Duopa, Rytary, Sinemet)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.