Vitamin B complex in the form of high-dose ampoules

Vitamin B products are now also available in pharmacies and drugstores. For therapeutic purposes the vitamins are usually available in higher doses. These are often ampoules which have to be injected intramuscularly, i.e. into the muscle, once a day or several times a week.

This should be carried out by an experienced doctor. Ampoules have the advantage that, compared to tablets that are absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract, the vitamins can be absorbed better and in higher quantities. The intramuscular route is particularly recommended for people suffering from a disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

This form of administration replenishes the vitamin stores faster. In addition, there are fewer side effects in the form of digestive disorders. With oral administration, i.e. taking tablets, this is also achieved, but takes considerably longer.

Dosage

The dosage of B vitamins varies from preparation to preparation, but always far above the recommended daily dose for a healthy adult. Most of the preparations that are freely available in the drugstore or pharmacy should be taken 1 to 2 times a day as a dietary supplement. The ampoules mentioned above are high-dose B vitamins, which should usually be administered to the muscle by a doctor. At the beginning of a therapy and in acute deficiency situations, the injections should be administered daily, later, to maintain the effect, the injections should only be given 1 to 2 times a week. In general, the dosage of the vitamin B complex for the prevention of a vitamin deficiency is significantly lower than the dosage used to treat an existing vitamin deficiency and its symptoms.

Side effects

Since the B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins, an overdose of vitamin B preparations is harmless in most cases, since excess vitamins are excreted with the urine.However, in spite of everything, overdoses of individual vitamins can still cause side effects in rare cases. In the case of an overdose of vitamin B3 a distinction must be made between nicotinic acid and niacin. Niacin is usually tolerated much better by the human body than nicotinic acid.

With vitamin B3, disorders in the gastrointestinal tract can occur from an amount of about 3-9 g per day, which are mainly accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The skin is also affected by an overdose of vitamin B3. Reddened skin and itching can be the result.

In difficult cases, a long-term overdose of vitamin B3 can also lead to a change in the cells of the liver, accompanied by inflammation of the liver, a so-called hepatitis. Very high amounts of vitamin B5 can also cause disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract and problems with digestion in the first few days. An overdose is referred to here from about 10-20 mg per day.

Vitamin B6 can also cause side effects from a certain amount. Critical here is a quantity of over 500mg of pyridoxine per day. As a result of an overdose, nerve damage can occur in rare cases.

These can be noticeable by a disturbed sense of temperature, weakening or loss of reflexes, sensitivity disorders or even paralysis. The skin can also react sensitively to an overdose of vitamin B6 and tend to become inflamed, a so-called dermatitis. Allergic reactions to individual vitamins or ingredients of tablets/capsules or ampoules, depending on the dosage form, are also possible.