AboutDr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi Expertise I can provide information on drugs and medicines, their actions, uses, interactions and adverse effects. To avoid confusion, generic names of
medicines may please be provided. I am a pharmacologist, having worked
on animal and human pharmacology, and presently I am the Dean of Bilcare Research Academy, where we teach courses on clinical research. We dont work on saturdays and sundays, hence questions reachng me on these days will be replied on Monday, please bear with me.
I am taking B12(1500 MCG) B6 3 mg Folic Acid 1.5 mg for the problem of neuropathy homocystein suggested by dr. Sam dr suggested one supplement which contins B12 500 mcg. Is total intake of B12 ( 1500 mcg+500mcg=2000mcg)excessive ? Can u guide ?
Answer Hi Harisiddh,
The daily recommended amount of Vit B 12 in adults is 2.4 mcg. During pregnancy it is 2.6 mcg per day and during lactation it is 2.8 mcg/day. These are the recommendations of the US FDA and are similar to the Indian recommendations (Schedule V to the Drog and Cosmetics Rules 1945).
Is 1500 mcg or 2000 mcg excessive, yes it is. But then most pharmaceutical products contain excessive vtamins. However it has never been shown that excessive vitamins (especially the water soluble ones) cause any problems, because any excess ingested gets excreted.
The Indian Government had banned formulations containing high dose of vitamins but they are still available. The ban is on the basis that such formulations are illogical, not harmful.
It is for you to decide whether to take these formulations or not.
Ravi Ghooi
