Does b6 help with nausea
Pro Research Analysisby
Searched over 200M research papers
The Efficacy of Vitamin B6 in Treating Nausea
Vitamin B6 for 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 significant reduction in their nausea scores compared to those who received a placebo. 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 . 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.
Combined Therapies
In some countries, vitamin B6 is recommended in combination with doxylamine for treating mild to moderate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This combination has been shown to be effective and safe, with doses up to 40-60 mg per day. This combined therapy is officially recommended in the USA, Canada, and Australia, highlighting its recognized efficacy.
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 involving children with malignancies found that vitamin B6 significantly reduced both the severity of nausea and the frequency of vomiting compared to a placebo. This indicates that vitamin B6 can be a valuable treatment option for managing CINV in children.
Other Applications of Vitamin B6
Oral Contraceptive Side Effects
Vitamin B6 has been evaluated for its potential to alleviate side effects associated with the initiation of low-dose oral contraceptives, such as nausea, headache, and dizziness. However, a study found no significant difference between the vitamin B6 and placebo groups in reducing these symptoms, suggesting that the observed effects might be more attributable to a placebo effect rather than the pharmacological action of vitamin B6.
Conclusion
Vitamin B6 has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing nausea and vomiting, particularly in cases of severe pregnancy-related nausea and chemotherapy-induced nausea in children. While it may not be as effective as some other treatments like ginger or dimenhydrinate, it remains a valuable and safe option, especially when combined with doxylamine for pregnancy-related symptoms. Further research could continue to explore its potential applications and optimize its use in various clinical settings.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic