Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vitamin

Generic and brand names: pyridoxine hydrochloride, oral; vitamin B-6; Aminoxin; Beesix; Nestrex

What is this medicine used for?

This vitamin (also known as vitamin B-6) occurs naturally in certain foods and is essential for good health and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It may be taken as a dietary supplement. This vitamin is often prescribed for use with medicines that may affect your blood. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe a diet rich in vitamin B-6.

This vitamin may also be used to treat a deficiency caused by certain drugs such as isoniazid, hydralazine and oral contraceptives.

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

Females of childbearing age: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, check with your healthcare provider before taking this medicine.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Taking large doses to treat medical problems has not been proven effective and may be dangerous. Take large doses only if your healthcare provider recommends them.

If your healthcare provider prescribes this medicine to lessen the side effects of other medicines, take it daily as directed.

Swallow extended-release capsules whole. If they are too large to swallow, you may open them and mix the contents with soft food you can swallow without chewing (such as applesauce).

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.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Clumsiness or numbness in your hands or feet; severe nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting.

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)
• levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet)
• phenobarbital (Luminal)
• phenytoin (Dilantin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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.