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TGA calls to remove common vitamin from shelves after poisoning cases spike
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Many Australians take supplements hoping to support their general wellbeing, but it's easier than a lot of us realise to consume more than is safe.
If you've been sick, fatigued or regularly unwell in the last few years, it's likely you've had someone encourage you to get your vitamin B levels checked.
But with walls full of supplements readily available on pharmacy shelves, many people up their intake of the vitamin in the hopes of boosting their health without consulting their doctor.
According to Health Direct, half of Australians take a dietary supplement, and many assume that the daily tablets are relatively harmless, but experts say it's not that hard to overdo it.
The risk of taking too much Vitamin B-6
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has received over 170 reports through its Database of Adverse Event Notifications (DAEN) of products containing vitamin B-6 linked to nerve damage in the form of:
Peripheral neuropathy
Causes weakness and pain in the extremities as a result of damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
It can also cause paralysis, muscle atrophy and hyperactivity.
The rare condition can induce numbness, muscle weakness, mobility issues and pain due to immune system problems. Image: iStock
Small fibre neuropathy
This causes numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands and feet due to damage to small nerve fibres, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Chronic polyneuropathy
The rare condition can induce numbness, muscle weakness, mobility issues and pain due to immune system problems.
This form of neuropathy is a result of 'damage to the nerves that carry messages of touch, temperature, pain and other sensations to the brain', according to the NHS. Image: iStock
Peripheral sensory neuropathy
This form of neuropathy is a result of 'damage to the nerves that carry messages of touch, temperature, pain and other sensations to the brain', according to the NHS.
It can trigger numbness, burning, pain, and loss of balance or coordination.
Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in our brain development and is essential in small amounts to support nervous system function. Image: Pexels
The regulator is hoping to reduce the risk to consumers.
Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in our brain development and is essential in small amounts to support nervous system function.
But speaking to the ABC, the Australian Medical Association board member, Michael Bonning said, "there are likely hundreds of thousands of Australians who are taking far too much'.
"While most of them have no side effects, if you are taking large doses of B6 your risk of peripheral neuropathy goes up.'
It's likely far more cases of overconsumption that have gone unreported. Image: iStock
The doctor says there are likely far more cases of overconsumption that have gone unreported.
"We know that reported cases of peripheral neuropathy are a massive underestimate of the problem in the community because so many people are unaware that vitamins can cause these symptoms."
The TGA recommends changes to the sale of Vitamin B-6
A senior medical officer from the TGA has handed down a report recommending changes to the sale of Vitamin B-6 supplements aimed at reducing the risk of overconsumption.
The report recommended a pharmacist be consulted before consumers purchased B-6 supplements. Image: Unsplash
The report suggested that customers be required to talk to a pharmacist before purchasing supplements with more than 50mg of B-6.
The public can buy supplements containing up to 200mg of the vitamin over the counter currently, which the report points out regularly have a dose far higher than the recommended daily intake.
A prescription should be required to access supplements with more than 200mg of vitamin B6 to limit risk, as per the recommendations.
The report recommended changes to rules surrounding packaging. Image: Pexels
Clearer labelling needed
In addition to supplements, the vitamin is added to a multitude of products, including energy drinks, diet shakes, multivitamins and medicines.
The report recommended changes to rules surrounding packaging, with a focus on highlighting the presence of vitamin B6 in products, clearer warnings to inform consumers of the risk of taking too much, and making it easier for consumers to understand the recommended dosage.
The report noted, "use of ingredient names in labelling is inconsistent and confusing for consumers … and not always described as vitamin B6".
"Of concern is that there are several products on the market where the front of the label provides no indication that vitamin B6 is an ingredient."
Originally published as TGA calls to remove common vitamin from shelves after poisoning cases spike
