From the Research
Muscle twitching from vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) typically occurs after prolonged high-dose supplementation, not immediately after taking 100mg. While 100mg exceeds the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 1.3-1.7mg for adults, symptoms of B6 toxicity generally develop after weeks to months of regular excessive intake, usually at doses of 500mg or more daily 1. Early signs of toxicity may include muscle twitching, numbness, and tingling in extremities, resulting from B6's effect on peripheral nerves when blood levels become too high. Some key points to consider:
- The development of neurotoxicity is typically associated with high doses of pyridoxine, usually above 100 nmol/L or 25 μg/L 1.
- PLP-based supplements are preferred over pyridoxine supplements due to minimal neurotoxicity observed in neuronal cell viability tests 1.
- Weekly administration of low doses (50-100 mg) is recommended to maintain a stable serum PLP level between 30 and 60 nmol/L or 7.4 and 15 μg/L 1. If you're experiencing muscle twitching after taking B6 supplements, consider reducing your dosage to the RDA level and consult a healthcare provider, as individual sensitivity varies 2. The symptoms typically resolve after discontinuing high-dose supplementation, though recovery can take weeks to months depending on severity and duration of exposure. It's essential to note that the association between elevated levels of pyridoxine and neuropathy is not well established, and further clinical trials are needed to establish the long-term safety of high doses 1.