High-dose vitamin B6 supplements pulled from shelves over nerve damage fears

Australians face prescription requirements for a popular vitamin after health authorities linked the products to permanent damage.

A number of vitamin B6 supplements will be removed from Australian shelves by June 2027 to reduce the risk of nerve damage after a policy change by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Here are the new restrictions and how they will affect Australian consumers.

Australian customers will no longer be able to buy products high in vitamin B6 off the shelf. Picture: Getty Images

WHY ARE B6 SUPPLEMENTS BEING REMOVED?

A rise in the number of B6 toxicity cases that caused nerve damage led to a review by the TGA.

The decision, made by a delegate of the TGA, found that 103 people had reported “severe, sometimes permanent, health effects from vitamin B6 toxicity”, including peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage, muscle weakness, “and significant impacts on daily life and employment”.

The decision also challenged industry claims that nerve damage from vitamin B6 only occurred at high doses or after long-term use, saying there was evidence of harm at much lower intakes.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES?

Starting from June 2027, Australian customers will no longer be able to buy products high in vitamin B6 off the shelf.

Instead, products containing more than 50mg of vitamin will be behind the counter and will require a pharmacist’s supervision in order to  purchase

Higher-dosage products containing more than 200mg will need a prescription.

High-dosage products will need a prescription.

WHAT IS VITAMIN B6?

Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine, pyridoxamine or pyridoxal. It is present in products  including medicines, multivitamin and mineral supplements, energy drinks and weight loss shakes.

WHAT IS VITAMIN B6 DEFICIENCY?

Vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon among the Australian population and prolonged ingestion of high doses can  damage  peripheral nerves.

Deficiency is more likely to occur in the elderly or those who are obese. People who suffer alcohol addiction or kidney, liver and auto-immune conditions are also at risk.

Originally published as High-dose vitamin B6 supplements pulled from shelves over nerve damage fears