In the nervous system, vitamin B6 is essential for making the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, so significant deficiency can lower seizure threshold and lead to seizures or encephalopathy, particularly in infants but occasionally in adults. Classic pyridoxine‑dependent or B6‑responsive seizure syndromes in infants often present with refractory seizures that improve dramatically after B6 or pyridoxal‑5‑phosphate is given, highlighting how crucial this pathway is for brain stability. Clinically, this means that in patients, especially infants, with otherwise unexplained or treatment‑resistant seizures or encephalopathy, assessing and correcting B6 status is a low‑risk, potentially lifesaving step that should be considered early. This medication is commonly used for Depression.
Sousou JM, Griffith EM, Marsalisi C, Reddy P. Pyridoxine Deficiency and Neurologic Dysfunction: An Unlikely Association. Cureus. 2023 Oct 25;15(10):e47647. Gerlach, A.T., Thomas, S., Stawicki, S.P., Whitmill, M.L., Steinberg, S.M., & Cook, C.H. (2011). Vitamin B6 deficiency: a potential cause of refractory seizures in adults. JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition, 35 2, 272-5 . Lee, D., Lee, Y., Shin, H., Kang, K., Park, J., Kim, B., Kwon, O., & Lee, J. (2015). Seizures Related to Vitamin B6 Deficiency in Adults. Journal of Epilepsy Research, 5, 23 - 24. Murty VS, Kishore MS, Patel MR. A Rare Case of Pyridoxine-dependent Seizures in Infancy. J Clin Neonatol. 2013 Jan;2(1):39-41.
Some side effects may be linked to nutrient depletion caused by this medication.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) can interfere with the activity of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and can cause a deficiency. Supplementing with vitamin B6 should be considered.