Page 214 - Biochemistry PharmD General

4. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)

• Vitamin B6 is a collective term for pyridoxine,
pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. The biologically active
co-enzyme form is pyridoxal phosphate. It acts as a
co-enzyme for enzymes that catalyze reactions of
amino acids such as transamination, deamination &
decarboxylation.

• Dietary deficiency in pyridoxine is rare; however,

drug-induced deficiency can occur with isoniazid

(antituberculous drug). Isoniazid can induce vitamin

B6 deficiency by forming an inactive derivative with
pyridoxal phosphate; dietary supplementation with

vitamin B6 is thus recommended as adjunct to
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treatment.