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Anesthesiology/vitamins B and anesthesia

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Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 8/2/2010


Question
Hi,
Could you explain the link between vitamins B and anesthesia please. I know this vitamin complex works on acetylcholine but if you have high level of B6 and B12 for example, does it make you difficult to sedate with propofol and/or midazolam or the opposite?
Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Anna
There is no evidence of a link between Vitamins B and depths of anaesthesia, anaesthetic dosage etc. There is a theoretical link between the longterm use of nitrous oxide and Vitamin B deficiency through enszyme inhibition. This however takes days of exposure rather than the normal few hrs.
Dr Ian Jackson

Anesthesiology

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Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based

Expertise

I am a Consultant Anaesthetist in the UK. My interests include ambulatory or day surgery, obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia, acute pain management (use of epidurals and patient controlled analgesia)anaesthesia for surgery on the airway, orthopaedics and most things except brains and hearts. Interest in prehospital care of trauma and provision of medical cover at motorsport events.

Experience


Organizations
European Society of Regional Anaesthesia
British Association of Day Surgery
Obstetric Anaesthetists Association
Association of Anaesthetists

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