Sensory Neuropathy from Pyridoxine Abuse

TLDR

Seven adults developed ataxia and severe sensory‑nervous‑system dysfunction after daily high‑level pyridoxine consumption. The study highlights that large‑dose pyridoxine can cause sensory neuropathy or neuronopathy and calls for safe usage guidelines. Four patients were severely disabled but all improved after pyridoxine withdrawal, with no weakness or central nervous system involvement. Published in N Engl J Med 1983; 309:445–8.

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. (N Engl J Med 1983; 309:445–8.)