Characteristics of pyridoxine overdose neuropathy syndrome

Acta Neurol Scand. 1987 Jul;76(1):8-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1987.tb03536.x.

Abstract

A newly recognised neurotoxic syndrome due to pyridoxine (B6) overdose is described. It is the largest series of B6 intoxication hitherto reported. A raised serum B6 level was present in 172 women of whom 60% had neurological symptoms, which disappeared when B6 was withdrawn and reappeared in 4 cases when B6 was restarted. The mean dose of B6 in the 103 women with neurological symptoms was 117 +/- 92 mgs, compared with 116.2 +/- 66 mgs in the control group. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.01) in the average duration of ingestion of B6 in the neurotoxic group of 2.9 +/- 1.9 years compared with 1.6 +/- 2.1 years in controls. The symptoms were paraesthesia, hyperaesthesia, bone pains, muscle weakness, numbness and fasciculation, most marked on the extremities and predominantly bilateral unless there was a history of previous trauma to the limb. These women were taking a lower dose of B6 than previously described (1,2), which may account for the complete recovery within 6 months of stopping B6.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperesthesia / chemically induced
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Paresthesia / chemically induced
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / blood
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Pyridoxine / blood
  • Pyridoxine / poisoning*
  • Pyridoxine / therapeutic use
  • Sensation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Pyridoxine