Entries in this section are based on information provided on the product packaging.

Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C)
Use: Vitamin C deficiency e.g. scurvy (capillary fragility, normocytic/ macrocytic anaemia, cartilage/ bone lesions, delayed wound healing.
RDI: 45 mg/day. Pregnancy: 55-60 mg/day. Lactation: 80-85 mg/day.
Precautions: High doses; (especially G6PD deficiency); prolonged use; renal oxalate calculi.
Interactions: Iron (may increase iron absorption in iron deficiency), oral contraceptives, fluphenazine, warfarin.

Biotin
Use: Biotin deficiency (dermatitis, alopecia, conjunctivitis, CNS abnormality, developmental delay in infants.
Adequate intake: Females: 25 mcg/day. Males: 30 mcg/day. Pregnancy: 30 mcg/day. Lactation: 35 mcg/day.

Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B₁₂)
Use: Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency (haematological, neurological, gastrointestinal abnormalities).
RDI: 2.4 mcg/day. Pregnancy: 2.6 mcg/day. Lactation: 2.8 mcg/day.
Precautions: Tobacco amblyopia.
Interactions: Possible: mesalazine, neomycin, H₂- receptor antagonists, colchicine, oral contraceptives.

Folic Acid
Use: Folic acid deficiency
RDI: 400 mcg/day. Pregnancy: 600 mcg/day. Lactation: 500 mcg/day.
UL: 1,100 mcg/day.
Contraindications: Untreated vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.
Precautions: Establish diagnosis (esp. vitamin B₁₂ status).
Interactions: Sulfonamides, antiepileptics, alcohol, antituberculous drugs, methotrexate, trimethoprim, pyrimethamine.

Nicotinic Acid (niacin, nicotinamide, vitamin B₃)
Use: Vitamin B₃ deficiency; pellagra;hypercholesterolaemia; hypertriglyceridaemia; vasodilation.
RDI: Females: 14 mg/day. Males: 16 mg/day. Pregnancy: 18 mg/day. Lactation: 17 mg/day.
UL: 35 mg/day. Pregnancy: 30 mg/day.
Precautions: Peptic ulcer disease; diabetes; gout; impaired hepatic function.
Interactions: Statins, insulins, oral hypoglycaemics.
Adverse effects: Flushing.

Pantothentic Acid (vitamin B₅)
Use: Vitamin B₅ supplementation.
Adequate intake: Females: 4 mg/day. Males: 6 mg/day. Pregnancy: 5 mg/day. Lactation: 6 mg/day.

Pyridoxine (vitamin B₆)
Use: Vitamin B₆ deficiency e.g. dermatitis, macrocytic anaemia, neurological abnormalities (usually drug induced).
RDI: Females: 1.3-1.5 mg/day. Males: 1.3-1.7 mg/day. Pregnancy: 1.9 mg/day. Lactation: 2 mg/day.
UL: 50 mg/day.
Precautions: Long-term use (peripheral neuropathy risk).
Interactions: Levodopa, phenobarbital, isoniazid, penicillamine, oral contraceptives.
Adverse effects: High doses may cause peripheral neuropathy.

Riboflavine (vitamin B₂)
Use: Vitamin B₂ deficiency (growth disturbance, dermatitis, anaemia, oral mucosa inflammation).
RDI: Females: 1.1-1.3 mg/day. Males: 1.3-1.6 mg/day. Pregnancy: 1.4 mg/day. Lactation: 1.6 mg/day.

Thiamine (vitamin B₁)
Use: Vitamin B₁ deficiency e.g. Beri-beri, Wernicke- Korsakoff syndrome.
RDI: Females: 1.1 mg/day. Males: 1.2 mg/day. Pregnancy, lactation: 1.4 mg/day.

PBS Brand Substitution
Interchangeable brands in this section.
Folic acid: Megafol ↔ Foltabs.