Vitamin B6 as a propranalol alternative in the treatment of AP-induced akathisia

Tart Cherry Jam · May 05, 2024 at 05:39 PM

I can't find my old post about using high doses of Vit B6 to ameliorate EPS. I wanted to update that this has been working surprisingly well for me since last fall.

So let me start a new post and link to this 2018 article:

Effect of Vitamin B6 Versus Propranolol on Antipsychotic-Induced Akathisia: A pilot Comparative Double-blind Study - PMC

And this is especially important for those of us who either organically tend to low blood pressure or have AP-induced orthostatic hypotension and thus are prevented from using Propranalol.

Nammu · May 05, 2024 at 05:56 PM

Using high doses of B6 can cause toxicity. The side effects are not pleasant. I urge people not to play doctor and prescribe themselves medicine or high doses of any supplements.

VabGirl · May 05, 2024 at 07:13 PM

Im glad its working but be careful

Tart Cherry Jam · May 05, 2024 at 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammu

Using high doses of B6 can cause toxicity. The side effects are not pleasant. I urge people not to play doctor and prescribe themselves medicine or high doses of any supplements.

You do not need levels as high as those that cause toxicity. I take 300 mg which is near the bottom of the range reported to ameliorate EPS (250 mg and up). This is well below the toxic levels:.

"Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) causes neuropathy at intakes of 1000 mg per day or more, which is about 800 times the daily intake from foods"

[How much vitamin B6 is toxic?] - PubMed.

Oh, and I also take a B complex because the general B complex intake improves the safety and response to B6.

It was my psychiatrist who investigated this issue and prescribed B6 to me, and then I did my own research and learned that I also need B complex.

And this is far better than taking Cogentin which was prescribed to me years ago by other pdocs to counteract Parkinsonism as Cogentin raises the risk of Alzheimer's disease after long term use, something B6 use does not do.

MuddyBoots · May 05, 2024 at 08:45 PM

I don't know, man. Last time I was inpatient I was ready to rip my limbs off my akathisia was so bad. They put me on propranolol, a B complex vitamin, and a B6 supplement. Yeah, my vit. B levels were low at first (why the vits), but even after discharge I still wanted to go ballistic from the akathisia. Only thing that stopped it was stopping the AP (I know, not a viable option for most and even in my case it was out of not having anyone to prescribe it, but it's been a few months and I still breathe).

Tart Cherry Jam · May 05, 2024 at 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyBoots

I don't know, man. Last time I was inpatient I was ready to rip my limbs off my akathisia was so bad. They put me on propranolol, a B complex vitamin, and a B6 supplement. Yeah, my vit. B levels were low at first (why the vits), but even after discharge I still wanted to go ballistic from the akathisia. Only thing that stopped it was stopping the AP (I know, not a viable option for most and even in my case it was out of not having anyone to prescribe it, but it's been a few months and I still breathe).

That is horrible. I remember akathisia on max dose of Seroquel in 2009, years ago basically, being simply a nighttime torture. I was on Atenolol (a cousin of Propranolol and it did not help). As a result, I asked to be switched to Lithium. That led to even worse outcomes long-term as I now have hypothyroidism for life. I no longer use Lithium but I need to be on Levoxyl forever. And who knew that I simply needed much less Seroquel, a little Geodon and yes, a B complex.

It took some time for B6/B complex to work consistently. At first, it was like oh great, oh no, oh great again, oh no. Now, half a year later, I do not have EPS. Granted, my doses of APs are fairly low these days. EPS usually are dose-dependent.

But I do get how you would want to rip your limbs. I screamed from akathisia.

HALLIEBETH87 · May 06, 2024 at 03:51 PM

I had akathesia both time i was on risperdal and felt like i was gonna lose m mind it was awful!! only thing that helped was taking requip with it

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Vitamin B6 as a propranalol alternative in the treatment of AP-induced akathisia

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VabGirl Member Member Since Jul 2021 Location: virginia Posts: 323 3 35 hugs given	May 05, 2024 at 07:13 PM #3 Im glad its working but be careful
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HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,585 20 2,808 hugs given	May 06, 2024 at 03:51 PM #7 I had akathesia both time i was on risperdal and felt like i was gonna lose m mind it was awful!! only thing that helped was taking requip with it __________________ schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety d/o haldol, prazosin, risperdal and prn klonopin and helpful cogentin
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