Aminoxin

Vitamins are the compounds which are needed in very small amounts by the body for the growth and maintenance of health. They cannot be synthesized by our body and we usually take these through the foods that we eat.

Aminoxin is a water-soluble vitamin which is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It is one of the essential components of hemoglobin (Hb) formation and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis within the central nervous system (CNS).

In addition, it helps the release of glycogen stored in the liver and muscles. Pyridoxine is widely indicated in peripheral neuropathy and vitamin B6 deficiency.

Certain conditions can increase your need for pyridoxine. These include:

• Chronic alcoholism
• Severe burns
• Severe diarrhea
• Dialysis
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Overactive thyroid
• Stress
• Intestinal disorders
• Long-term illness
• Serious injury

Following gastrectomy, pyridoxine supplements are given to the patients. Infants receiving certain unfortified formulas such as evaporated milk may require additional pyridoxine therapy.

The increased demand for pyridoxine is usually determined by your healthcare professional. Pyridoxine deficiency may lead to anemia due to reduced hemoglobin synthesis.

Nerve damage, seizures, skin problems, and sores in the mouth are reported in those who are markedly deficient in vitamin B6. The healthcare professionals usually treat these problems by prescribing pyridoxine.

Aminoxin, pyriodoxal, and pyridoxamine are related naturally occurring pyridine compounds that have vitamin B6 activity. Liver, meat, egg, soybean, vegetables, and whole grain are the rich dietary sources.

All three forms of the vitamin are well absorbed from the intestine. They are oxidized in the body and excreted as pyridoxic acid. Pyridoxine and pyridoxamine are readily oxidized to pyridoxal, which is then phosphorylated to pyridoxal phosphate – the coenzyme form.

Pyridoxal-dependent enzymes include transaminases and decarboxylases involved in the synthesis of nonessential amino acids, tryptophan and sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism, the formation of 5-HT, dopamine, histamine, GABA and aminolevulinic acid. High protein diet increases pyridoxine requirement.

Deficiency of vitamin B6 usually occurs in association with that of other B vitamins. Manifestations of pyridoxine deficiency are –seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis, growth retardation, mental confusion, lowered seizure threshold or convulsions (due falling in GABA levels), peripheral neuritis and anaemia.

Prolonged intake of large doses of pyridoxine can give rise to dependence, and mega doses (0.2-2.0 g/day) have been linked with sensory neuropathy. Otherwise, pyridoxine is free from pharmacological actions and side effects.

Certain drugs should not be used concurrently with such medications. It is always recommended to consult with your doctor if you are in need of some drugs for another health problem.

You should not take the following drugs during pyridoxine therapy in order to get rid of drug reactions:

• Isoniazid reacts with pyridoxal to form a hydrazine, and thus inhibits generation of pyridoxal phosphate. Isoniazid also combines with pyridoxal phosphate to interfere with its coenzyme function. Due to formation of hydrazones, the renal excretion of pyridoxine compounds is increased. Thus, isoniazid therapy produces a pyridoxine deficiency state.
• Hydralazine, cycloserine and penicillamine also interfere with pyridoxine utilization and action.
• Oral contraceptives reduce pyridoxal phosphate levels in some women.
• Pyridoxine, by promoting formation of dopamine from levodopa in peripheral tissues, reduces its availability in the brain, abolishing the therapeutic effect in parkinsonism, but not when a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor is combined with it. 4-deoxypyridoxine is a vitamin B6 antagonist.

Medicines should be used following the directions that were given by a doctor. The dose of Aminoxin will vary according to patient’s condition or requirements.

The amount of medicine that you take should not exceed the maximum therapeutic dose. Also, the frequency of your daily drug administration and the duration of drug therapy depend on the particular medical problem for which you are taking the medicine.

The therapeutic uses of pyridoxine are given below:

• Prophylactically (2-5 mg daily) in alcoholics, infants, and patients with deficiency of other B vitamins.
• To prevent and treat (10-50 mg/day) isoniazid, hydralazine and cycloserine induced neurological disturbances. Acute isoniazid poisoning has been successfully treated with massive doses (in grams) of pyridoxine.
• To treat mental symptoms in women on oral contraceptives (50 mg daily).
• Pyridoxine-responsive anaemia (due to defective haeme synthesis) and homocystinuria are rare genetic disorders that are benefited by large doses of pyridoxine 950-200 mg/day).
• Convulsions in infants and children.
• Treatment and prophylaxis of vitamin B6 deficiency states (up to 150 mg daily).
• Sideroblastic anaemia (up to 400 mg daily)

This medicine is commonly prescribed to take orally in general on a daily basis for a specific duration. This drug is also given via subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous routes.

Injectable pyridoxine is usually used when patients are under the direct supervision of a healthcare professional.

Always try to take your medicine in time. If you miss any dose of this medicine, you should take it as soon as possible. But if it is time for your next dose, then you should skip the missed dose and go back to your regular treatment schedule.

You should store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Regular visits are recommended to make sure this medicine is working properly while you are undergoing Aminoxin therapy.

Some important factors should be kept in mind to ensure the beneficial effects of this drug therapy. Pyridoxine is contraindicated in patients receiving levodopa to avoid drug interaction.

Isoniazid, penicillamine and oral contraceptives may warrant greater pyridoxine dose. On the contrary, pyridoxine reduces the effects of levodopa, phenobarbitone, altretamine and phenytoin.

There are some unwanted side-effects associated with  that usually do not need medical attention. Severe peripheral neuropathies are reported with long-term administration of large doses.

Non-suckling postpartal women given high doses of pyridoxine are found with suppression of lactation in clinical trials.