Study Finds High-Dose Vitamin B6 Supplement Sales Remain Strong Despite Safety Warnings
04 Aug 2026
Researchers from the University of Sydney analysed pharmacy sales data collected between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2025, representing around 75% of complementary medicine sales in Australia.
The study found that more than 20 million vitamin B6-containing products with daily doses above 5 mg were sold during the study period. More than three million products contained daily doses higher than 50 mg.
Published in the Internal Medicine Journal, the research found that sales of vitamin B6 supplements remained steady over the three years, despite new Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) safety measures.
In March 2023, the TGA introduced mandatory warning labels for products containing more than 10 mg of vitamin B6 per day and reduced the maximum permitted daily dose from 200 mg to 100 mg. High-dose vitamin B6 products will also become pharmacist-only medicines from June 2027.
Researchers observed a decline in products containing 200 mg or more, but this was largely replaced by products containing 100–199 mg, suggesting purchasing habits had changed rather than overall exposure being reduced.
The study concluded that warning labels and earlier TGA safety alerts had little effect on consumer purchasing behaviour and that high-risk use of vitamin B6 supplements remains common in Australian community pharmacies.
University of Sydney academic GP and study co-author Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Hunter said GPs should carefully ask patients about all vitamins and supplements they are taking, as vitamin B6 can be present in multiple products and total daily intake may be much higher than expected.
She said patients with possible symptoms of vitamin B6 toxicity may need to review all of their supplements, and in some cases a vitamin B6 blood test may be appropriate.
Retired GP Dr Mary Buchanan, who has spoken publicly about vitamin B6 toxicity, said stronger action is needed to improve consumer awareness and reduce access to high-dose products. She believes clearer product labelling and further education are needed to help prevent avoidable harm.
The National Health and Medical Research Council currently sets the upper daily intake level for vitamin B6 in adults at 50 mg, with a review expected to be completed in early 2027.
Study Finds High-Dose Vitamin B6 Supplement Sales Remain Strong Despite Safety Warnings
Source: RACGP News | Internal Medicine Journal