Posted by Nickengland on November 1, 2005, at 10:25:50
Hello,
I'm looking for information about the interation between Anticonvulsants and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride ~ more commonly known as Vitamin B6.
I've found some information that is interesting that a particular rare form of epilepsy 'Pyridoxine Responsive Epilepsy' is actually thought to be caused, or more importantly the types of seizures, don't appear to respond to anticonvulsants drugs, but when given vitamin B6, the epilepsy is sucussfully treated...
The information that i'm looking for is, is that there appears to be an interaction between vitamin b6 (which appears to be a kind of anticonvulsant in very rare cases) and some of the common anticonvulsant drugs used today..
I take Neurontin and Topamax - and so i'm very interested in the interaction B6 has with these 2 drugs in particular, I've read about here briefly..
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/drugs_interact/1,1748,273,00.html
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/drugs_interact/1,1748,740,00.html
I found this about the Gabapentin..
Vitamin B6
One controlled study revealed that taking anticonvulsant drugs dramatically reduces blood levels of vitamin B6.26 A nutritional deficiency of vitamin B6 can lead to an increase in homocysteine blood levels, which has been associated with atherosclerosis. Vitamin B6 deficiency is also associated with symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, mental depression, and seizures. On the other hand, supplementation with large amounts of vitamin B6 (80–200 mg per day) has been reported to reduce blood levels of some anticonvulsant drugs, which could theoretically trigger seizures. People taking multiple anticonvulsant drugs should discuss with their doctor whether supplementing with vitamin B6 is advisable.http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Ency/Index.cfm/Id/1390003#7
But couldn't find anything about the Topamax so far.
I have recently switched B complex supplements, so now the B complex I take, I get 10mg of B6 - but also i'm looking to take a 25mg single supplement, possibly 50mg making a total of 60mg of Pyridoxine Hydrochloride taken daily with the Topamax and Neurontin - is this safe or does 35mg sound better? (If I get a 25mg B6 tablet)
Should it be avoided?...I think I do have more mood benefits with it however, but just making sure, as I even remember reading about this interaction in a Carbamazepine drug leaflet I had but it never went into detail.
Many thanks if anyone can offer any help about this.
Kind regards
Nick
poster:Nickengland
thread:574127
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051031/msgs/574127.html