Overdose Of B Vitamins - Signs, First Aid, Treatment, Consequences

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Overdose with B vitamins

B vitamins are several water-soluble vitamins that were discovered in 1912 as a single substance. Later it turned out that this group includes 20 different nitrogen-containing compounds that have a similar effect on the body and received the appropriate designations - from B ₁ to B ₂₀.

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According to the results of recent studies, the group of B vitamins has significantly decreased, since it was found that the bulk is either synthesized exclusively within the body, or belongs to vitamin-like compounds.

Currently, B vitamins include:

• B ₁ (thiamine) - participates in the regulation of all types of metabolism;
• B ₂ (Riboflavin) - regulates metabolic processes, ensures the normal functioning of the visual analyzer, supports adequate condition of the skin and mucous membranes, is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin;
• B ₃ (vitamin PP, nicotinic acid) - regulates metabolic processes;
• B ₅ (pantothenic acid) - participates in the synthesis of antibodies;
• B ₆ (pyridoxine) - participates in the regulation of metabolism, the functioning of the nervous and immune systems, the development of red blood cells and the synthesis of hemoglobin;
• B ₇ (vitamin H, biotin) - regulates energy metabolism;
• B ₉ (B _c, folic acid) - necessary for the normal growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy, the functioning of the immune and nervous systems, stimulates the formation of nucleins and cell proliferation;
• B ₁₂ (cyanocobalamin) - promotes the formation of erythrocytes, adequate formation and functioning of the nervous system.

Sources of B vitamins are both plant and animal products: cereals, legumes, cereals, dairy products, meat (especially liver and kidneys), fish, caviar, nuts, vegetables (cabbage, carrots, garlic, leafy vegetables, tomatoes), yeast, fruits and berries (strawberries, cherries, citrus fruits), honey. Some representatives of this group of vitamins are partially synthesized by the normal intestinal microflora.

A feature of the B vitamins is their increased destruction in the body under the influence of intermediate metabolic products of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, refined sugars. With the intensification of metabolic processes (psychoemotional and physical activity), the rate of utilization of these vitamins increases up to 10 times.

Despite the intensive consumption of vitamins of this group in the body, when used in dosage forms, an acute or chronic overdose is often encountered, manifested both by general intoxication and specific symptoms.

How many B vitamins are needed for an overdose?

Each representative of this group of vitamins has therapeutic doses, which are calculated individually for different categories of patients: children, adults, the elderly, lactating or pregnant women, who are assigned a prophylactic dosage; professional athletes, for whom the dose of the vitamin can be significantly higher; hypovitaminosis patients receiving a therapeutic dose.

The maximum permissible daily dose of B vitamins (may exceed the therapeutic dose by several tens or even hundreds of times):

• B ₁ - 300 mg / day;
• B ₂ - 50 mg / day;
• B ₃ - 6 g / day;
• B ₅ - 0.8 g / day;
• B ₆ - 100 mg / day;
• B ₇ - 30 mg / day;
• B ₉ - 1 mg / day;
• B ₁₂ - 0.5 mg / day.

Exceeding the maximum daily dose leads to the development of symptoms of overdose (hypervitaminosis).

Signs of overdose

An overdose of B vitamins is both acute and chronic. Acute overdose occurs with a single dose of a substance that is many times higher than the average therapeutic dose (due to low toxicity). Chronic develops with prolonged use of an incorrectly selected dose, more often in vulnerable individuals (the elderly, children, pregnant and lactating women).

Both chronic and acute hypervitaminosis is manifested by typical symptoms of intoxication common to the entire group B:

• speech and motor excitement;
• sleep disorders (insomnia);
• hyperemia and hypersensitivity of the skin;
• spilled headache, dizziness;
• increased convulsive readiness;
• attacks of increased heartbeat, tachycardia.

There are also characteristic features of hypervitaminosis. Most often, intoxication develops with an overdose of B ₁, B ₃, B ₆, B ₉, B ₁₂.

Signs of a vitamin B ₁ overdose:

• cholinergic urticaria (itchy rash on the forearms, neck, chest, accompanied by fever, dyspeptic disorders) due to increased activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine;
• discoordination of the liver enzyme systems and its fatty degeneration;
• impaired renal function, up to renal failure;
• photosensitivity (increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight).

Vitamin B ₁ leads in the risk of developing anaphylactic shock (a rapidly proceeding severe allergic reaction that carries a threat to life) - occurs in 2.69% of cases.

An overdose of B ₃ is manifested by the following symptoms:

• hyperemia of the skin of the face and upper half of the body, hot flashes;
• dry skin and mucous membranes of the eyes;
• paresthesia (a feeling of crawling on the skin);
• debilitating itching of the skin;
• dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• muscle pain;
• arrhythmia, orthostatic hypotension.

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Hypervitaminosis B _{6 is} characterized by:

• rashes on the skin;
• blurred consciousness and dizziness;
• convulsions;
• an increase in the acidity of gastric juice (the course is aggravated or the development of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease is provoked).

Signs of hypervitaminosis B ₉:

• tonic cramps (muscle twitching), often in the calf muscles;
• allergic reactions.

An overdose of vitamin B ₁₂ usually develops against the background of incorrect treatment of B ₁₂ deficiency anemia or individual hypersensitivity to the substance. Main manifestations:

• allergic reactions of varying severity (up to anaphylactic shock);
• increased severity of existing heart failure, ischemic heart disease (increased frequency and progression of attacks);
• hyperactivation of the blood coagulation (increased thrombus formation).

In acute intoxication, the symptoms of an overdose of B vitamins will be similar to those described above, the difference is manifested in the rate of development and intensity of pathological changes.

First aid for an overdose of B vitamins

1. Cancel the drug.
2. Carry out gastric lavage, for which drink 1-1.5 liters of water or a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate and provoke an emetic urge.
3. Take a saline laxative (magnesium sulfate).
4. Take enterosorbent (Enterosgel, Polysorb, Laktofiltrum).

In case of acute intoxication with a vitamin preparation for parenteral use, stop the administration immediately and seek medical help.

Antidote

There are no specific antidotes for B vitamins.

When is medical attention required?

Medical assistance is needed in several cases:

• a child, an elderly person, a pregnant woman was injured;
• active neurological symptoms developed (excitement or, conversely, depression of consciousness, convulsions, paralysis, paresis, intense headache;
• the victim has limited access to contact or is unconscious;
• persistent fever, not amenable to correction;
• complaints of a cardiological nature (pain in the region of the heart, irregular pulse, palpitations, changes in blood pressure, cyanosis, sudden shortness of breath);
• intense allergic reaction;
• violation of urination (decrease in the amount or complete absence of urine).

After providing first aid, the victim, if necessary, is hospitalized in the specialized department of the hospital. Treatment includes the following activities:

• a diet restricting foods containing B vitamins;
• infusion therapy to reduce the concentration of toxins (Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride solution, Polyglukin, Reopolyglucin);
• forced diuresis (diuretic drugs (Furosemide, Veroshpiron) in combination with an abundant drink from 3 to 5 l / day) to accelerate the elimination of toxins by the kidneys;
• oxygen therapy for the prevention of hypoxic damage to organs and tissues;
• hepatoprotectors (Heptral, Essentiale);
• symptomatic therapy of the developed concomitant disorders;
• in severe cases - hardware blood transfusion, hemodialysis, hemosorption.

Possible consequences

Complications of a severe overdose of B vitamins can be:

• renal failure;
• liver failure;
• fatty degeneration of the liver;
• anaphylactic shock;
• pulmonary edema;
• progression of angina pectoris;
• thrombosis.

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Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author

Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!