The New England Journal of Medicine, 309(8), 445-448, 1983
Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. A new megavitamin syndrome
Author affiliations
- Yeshiva University ROR
Abstract
We describe seven adults who had ataxia and severe sensory-nervous-system dysfunction after daily high-level pyridoxine (vitamin B6) consumption. Four were severely disabled; all improved after withdrawal. Weakness was not a feature of this condition, and the central nervous system was clinically spared. Although consumption of large doses of pyridoxine has gained wide public acceptance, this report indicates that it can cause sensory neuropathy or neuronopathy syndromes and that safe guidelines should be established for the use of this widely abused vitamin.
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Cite this article
Schaumburg, H. H., Kaplan, J. G., Windebank, A. J., Vick, N. A., Rasmus, S. C., Pleasure, D., & Brown, M. J. (1983). Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. A new megavitamin syndrome. *The New England journal of medicine*, *309*(8), 445-448. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198308253090801
Schaumburg HH, Kaplan JG, Windebank AJ, Vick NA, Rasmus SC, Pleasure D, et al. Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. A new megavitamin syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1983;309(8):445-448. doi:10.1056/NEJM198308253090801
Schaumburg, Herbert H., et al. "Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. A new megavitamin syndrome." *The New England journal of medicine*, vol. 309, no. 8, 1983, pp. 445-448.
Keywords
Adult, Edema/drug Therapy, Gait, Humans, Male, Orthomolecular Therapy/adverse Effects, Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically Induced/pathology, Pyridoxine/administration & Dosage/adverse Effects, Sensation, Substance-Related Disorders, Syndrome, Pyridoxine