In brief
A B vitamin your body needs for more than 100 enzyme reactions in metabolism, and for brain development and immune function. Too much from supplements can damage nerves.
- Since 1 March 2022, Australian medicines with more than 10 mg of B6 a day carry a warning to stop if you notice tingling, burning or numbness.
- From 1 June 2027, oral products with more than 50 mg and up to 200 mg a day become pharmacist-only medicines, according to the TGA.
- If you notice tingling, burning or numbness while taking B6, stop the product and see your doctor as soon as possible.
How it works
Vitamin B6 is needed to form haemoglobin and is involved in making brain messengers. Poultry, fish, organ meats, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit other than citrus are good sources. Deficiency is uncommon, and is more likely with kidney disease, some autoimmune and bowel conditions, or alcohol dependence.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration warns that vitamin B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy, felt as tingling, burning or numbness, usually in the hands or feet. B6 is found in many products, including multivitamins and some magnesium and zinc products, so check the total you take.
Food sources
- Poultry
- Fish
- Organ meats
- Potatoes and other starchy vegetables
- Non-citrus fruit
From the AskBioMap food guide:
Connections
3 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Vitamin B6 affects
Too much vitamin B6 from supplements can cause peripheral neuropathy, the TGA warns.
Sources: Therapeutic Goods Administration, Medicines containing vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal or pyridoxamine); NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin B6 fact sheet for consumers
Vitamin B6 has been studied for
- Premenstrual symptoms Emerging
Some studies suggest B6 supplements could reduce PMS symptoms, but most studies are of poor quality.
Sources: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin B6 fact sheet for consumers; NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin B6: fact sheet for health professionals
Vitamin B6 is needed for
Vitamin B6 helps keep homocysteine at normal levels.
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin B6: fact sheet for health professionals
Sources
- Medicines containing vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal or pyridoxamine)
- Vitamin B6 fact sheet for consumers
- Vitamin B6: fact sheet for health professionals
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Sources read on 13 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.