Are you unknowingly taking too much vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 is available in Australia in a range of different products, including multivitamins, magnesium, zinc or iron supplements, and ‘anti-stress’ formulas.

Taking too much vitamin B6 can result in harmful side effects, including nerve damage known as ‘peripheral neuropathy’, which can be severe and irreversible.

Most people already get enough vitamin B6 from their diet. Vitamin B6 occurs naturally in foods like meat, chicken, nuts, legumes and some fruits and vegetables. It is also added to certain food and drink products, such as breakfast cereals and energy drinks. A healthy adult should consume between 1.3-1.7 mg/day, which is a small amount easily obtained from everyday foods.

Nerve damage isn’t associated with normal dietary intake of vitamin B6. It becomes a greater risk if you take supplements containing high amounts of vitamin B6 or multiple supplements with vitamin B6 in them.

It can be difficult to tell how much vitamin B6 you’re consuming, especially if you use multiple products. You should always check the label of any vitamin or supplement products for vitamin B6, as well as any food or drinks with vitamin B6 added. It is also called pyridoxine, pyridoxamine and pyridoxal.

Where possible, reduce or stop taking vitamin B6 unless you have been diagnosed with a deficiency by a health professional.

Vitamin B6 deficiency is more likely to occur in the elderly, or those with alcohol dependence, obesity, or certain kidney, liver and autoimmune conditions.

If you take products that contain vitamin B6, be aware of symptoms of nerve damage. 

If you experience tingling, burning or numbness in your hands or feet, stop taking the product immediately and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

We have received adverse event reports from a significant number of people that have experienced severe, sometimes permanent, health effects from vitamin B6 toxicity. This includes nerve damage, muscle weakness, and significant impacts on daily life and employment.

In response, we made a decision to strengthen safety controls for products containing vitamin B6 which will be implemented on 1 June 2027. The changes mean that products containing more than 50 mg and up to 200 mg per recommended daily dose will only be available over the counter with the advice of a pharmacist.

In the meantime, if you’re not sure if you’re taking too much vitamin B6 have a chat with your doctor or pharmacist.