Another Name for Vitamin B6
Pyridoxine is another name for vitamin B6. 1
Additional Forms and Nomenclature
Vitamin B6 exists in several interrelated chemical forms, all of which fall under the vitamin B6 designation:
- Pyridoxine - the most commonly used term and the form typically found in supplements 1
- Pyridoxal - another naturally occurring form 1, 2
- Pyridoxamine - a third major form of the vitamin 1, 2
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP) - the biologically active form that functions as a cofactor for over 100 enzymes 1, 2
- Pyridoxal phosphate - alternative terminology for the active form 1
Clinical Context
The term "pyridoxine" is most frequently used in clinical practice and pharmaceutical preparations, particularly when referring to:
- Supplementation in pediatric parenteral nutrition, where dosing is specified as pyridoxine at 0.15-0.2 mg/kg/day for preterm and term infants up to 12 months 1
- Therapeutic use as an antidote in toxicological emergencies such as isoniazid overdose 3
- Prevention of drug-induced neuropathy, where pyridoxine supplementation at 25-50 mg/day is recommended for patients taking tuberculosis medications 4
All these forms are phosphorylated derivatives that share the same pyrimidine ring structure and are collectively referred to as vitamin B6 vitamers. 2