What is this medication for?
Vitamin B complex tablets (usually containing B1, B2, B3 & B6) is used to treat or prevent Vitamin B deficiency.
Vitamin B supplements may also be available in various combinations (e.g. B1, B6 & B12) for the nerves, or on its own (e.g. B12) for other indications. Please check with your healthcare professional.
How should I take or use this medication?
- Take this medication as prescribed by your healthcare professional
- Do not stop taking your medications without checking with your healthcare professional
- This medication may be taken with or without food
- This medication is usually taken in the morning, as they may help with energy levels. If it is taken at night or close to bedtime, it might cause wakefulness or alertness.
- Do not take other Vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine)-containing products while on this medication to prevent overdose.
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double your dose or use extra medication to make up for the missed dose.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication, or any of the other ingredients in this medication
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
What are some common side effects of this medication?
Some side effects of Vitamin B may include stomach discomfort (e.g. nausea, passing out gas more often or heartburn)
- You may reduce the stomach discomfort by taking medication with or after food
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Excessive intake of Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) may lead to peripheral neuropathy (a nerve disorder).
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands or feet.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. Throw away all expired medications.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimer
The content of this article does not replace the information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS).
The images and video in this article has been developed by the Singapore National Asthma Programme (SNAP) and have been reviewed by the PSS-National Medication Information workgroup.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore