B6 and nausea
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The Efficacy of Vitamin B6 in Treating Nausea
Vitamin B6 and Pregnancy-Related Nausea
Effectiveness in Severe Nausea
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, has been shown to significantly reduce the severity of nausea in pregnant women, particularly those experiencing severe symptoms. In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, women with severe nausea who received vitamin B6 reported a notable decrease in their nausea scores compared to those who received a placebo 1. This suggests that vitamin B6 can be an effective treatment for severe nausea during pregnancy.
Comparison with Other Treatments
Several studies have compared the effectiveness of vitamin B6 with other treatments for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. For instance, a study comparing ginger and vitamin B6 found that while both treatments significantly reduced nausea and vomiting, ginger was slightly more effective in reducing the severity of nausea 278. Another study comparing vitamin B6 with dimenhydrinate, an antihistamine, found that both treatments were effective, but dimenhydrinate had a greater impact on reducing nausea and vomiting scores 3.
Acupressure vs. Vitamin B6
A study comparing acupressure and vitamin B6 found no significant difference in the effectiveness of the two treatments for reducing nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy 4. This indicates that while vitamin B6 is effective, other non-pharmacological treatments like acupressure can also be considered.
Vitamin B6 for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea
Pediatric Cancer Patients
Vitamin B6 has also been studied for its effectiveness in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in pediatric cancer patients. A clinical trial demonstrated that vitamin B6 significantly reduced both the severity of nausea and the frequency of vomiting compared to a placebo 6. This suggests that vitamin B6 can be a valuable addition to the antiemetic regimen for children undergoing chemotherapy.
Vitamin B6 and Oral Contraceptive-Induced Nausea
Side Effects of Oral Contraceptives
Vitamin B6 has been recommended for treating side effects associated with oral contraceptive use, including nausea. However, a study found no significant difference in the reduction of nausea between the vitamin B6 and placebo groups, suggesting that the observed effects might be more attributable to a placebo effect rather than the pharmacological action of vitamin B6 5.
Mechanism of Action
Active Form of Vitamin B6
Research indicates that the active antiemetic form of vitamin B6 might be pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), rather than pyridoxine or pyridoxal. A study measuring serum concentrations of these compounds found that PLP levels correlated with the reduction in nausea symptoms, suggesting that pyridoxine and pyridoxal might act as prodrugs for PLP 9.
Conclusion
Vitamin B6 is an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting, particularly in pregnancy and chemotherapy-induced cases. While it is effective, other treatments like ginger and dimenhydrinate may offer greater relief in some cases. Understanding the active form of vitamin B6 and its mechanism can further enhance its therapeutic use.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Vitamin B6 is effective therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: A randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Vitamin B6 therapy significantly reduced the severity of nausea and the number of patients with vomiting in pregnant women with severe nausea compared to placebo.
RCT
Highly CitedComparing ginger and vitamin B6 for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial.
Ginger is more effective than vitamin B6 for relieving nausea severity and is equally effective for decreasing the number of vomiting episodes in early pregnancy.
RCTHighly CitedA randomized comparison of vitamin B6 and dimenhydrinate in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
Dimenhydrinate is more effective than vitamin B6 in treating nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.
RCT
Rigorous JournalAcupressure and vitamin B6 to relieve nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a randomized study
Acupressure therapy is not more effective than vitamin B6 in reducing nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.
RCTRigorous JournalEffect of vitamin B6 on the side effects of a low-dose combined oral contraceptive.
Vitamin B6 may reduce the severity of oral contraceptive side effects, but its effectiveness is more likely due to a placebo effect than a marginal pharmacological effect.
RCTThe effect of Vitamin B6 on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric cancer
Vitamin B6 significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children with malignancy, especially in acute lymphocytic leukemia.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalA randomized comparison of ginger and vitamin B6 in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Ginger and vitamin B6 both significantly reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two treatments.
RCTHighly CitedComparison of the effectiveness of ginger and vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
Ginger is more effective than vitamin B6 for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, with minor side effects.
RCTHighly CitedStudying the antiemetic effect of vitamin B6 for morning sickness: Pyridoxine and pyridoxal are prodrugs
The active antiemetic form of vitamin B6 is pyridoxal 5′ phosphate, which is measurable in pregnancy and correlates with morning sickness symptoms.
RCTRigorous JournalComparison of quince with vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a randomised clinical trial
Quince syrup is a more effective and safe treatment for pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting compared to vitamin B6 tablets.
RCT