title: Characteristics of pyridoxine overdose neuropathy syndrome.
abstract: A newly recognised neurotoxic syndrome due to pyridoxine (B6) overdose is described. It is the largest series of B6 intoxication hitherto reported. A raised serum B6 level was present in 172 women of whom 60% had neurological symptoms, which disappeared when B6 was withdrawn and reappeared in 4 cases when B6 was restarted. The mean dose of B6 in the 103 women with neurological symptoms was 117 +/- 92 mgs, compared with 116.2 +/- 66 mgs in the control group. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.01) in the average duration of ingestion of B6 in the neurotoxic group of 2.9 +/- 1.9 years compared with 1.6 +/- 2.1 years in controls. The symptoms were paraesthesia, hyperaesthesia, bone pains, muscle weakness, numbness and fasciculation, most marked on the extremities and predominantly bilateral unless there was a history of previous trauma to the limb. These women were taking a lower dose of B6 than previously described (1,2), which may account for the complete recovery within 6 months of stopping B6.
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006941:Hyperesthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012677:Sensation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011736:Pyridoxine