Australia’s drug regulator has announced that high-dose vitamin B6 supplements will be removed from general retail shelves after hundreds of reports linked long-term use to nerve damage and other adverse effects.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will reclassify any vitamin B6 product containing more than 50 mg per recommended daily dose, requiring it to be sold only under pharmacist supervision from June 2027. The recommended daily intake for a healthy adult is just 1.3 mg to 1.7 mg.
Spike in Nerve Damage Reports
The regulatory change follows a TGA review and public consultation that identified 250 cases of peripheral neuropathy - a condition involving nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord - mostly reported since 2023. Symptoms include tingling, burning, and numbness, usually in the hands and feet. Continued exposure can cause permanent damage.
Hidden Sources of B6 Add to the Risk
According to Dr. Evangeline Mantzioris, a sports dietitian at the University of South Australia, the rise of fortified products and aggressive supplement marketing has increased exposure to vitamin B6. The vitamin is commonly added to energy drinks, protein powders and other enriched products, leading many people to unknowingly consume B6 from multiple sources.
This combined intake may trigger neuropathy even at doses below 50 mg when several products are used simultaneously.
“Vitamin B6 is readily available through a balanced diet and deficiency is rare in Australia,” Dr. Mantzioris said. “But people often take supplements ‘just in case’, especially with the growth of high-dose powders and fortified products.”
What Changes in 2027?
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Up to 50 mg/day: Will remain available for general sale
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More than 50 mg/day: Will require pharmacist advice (over-the-counter)
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More than 200 mg/day: Will continue to require a prescription
People at risk of deficiency - including older adults and those with alcohol dependence, obesity or certain kidney, liver, or autoimmune disorders - are advised to consult a doctor before taking supplements.
Risk Not From Food, Only Supplements
The TGA emphasized that vitamin B6 toxicity is associated with supplements, not food sources. Symptoms typically improve once supplementation stops. However, individual susceptibility varies, and it is unclear why some people experience neuropathy at relatively low doses.
Why the Long Transition Period?
The TGA said the delay until June 2027 will allow manufacturers, pharmacies and healthcare providers time to update labels, adjust stock, and prepare for the regulatory shift.
Dr. Geraldine Moses, adjunct associate professor at the University of Queensland, said it was “disappointing” that the changes will not take effect sooner but acknowledged the scale of the task.
“The vitamin and supplements industry is huge, and B6 is in countless products,” she said. “This timeline was likely negotiated with the industry.”
What Should Consumers Do Now?
Experts recommend:
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Checking product labels for vitamin B6 (also listed as pyridoxine, pyridoxamine or pyridoxal).
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Avoiding high-dose supplements unless medically necessary.
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Seeking medical advice if experiencing tingling, burning or numbness in the hands or feet.