Meta Information
ID:b-complex-vitamins
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-3.0
Interactions
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Food enhances the absorption of most B vitamins and can reduce gastrointestinal side effects, particularly the flushing associated with niacin (B3).
Actionable advice:
Always take your B-complex supplement with a meal.
Target id:
/circadian/wake
Target name:
Morning / Waking Hours
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
null
Hours after target:
4
Description:
B vitamins are cofactors in energy metabolism; taking them in the morning aligns with the body's natural energy production cycles and may prevent sleep disturbances.
Actionable advice:
Take in the morning or early afternoon to support daytime energy levels.
Target id:
/intervention/metformin
Target name:
Metformin
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Long-term metformin use significantly impairs the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestines, leading to a high risk of deficiency.
Actionable advice:
If taking metformin long-term, ensure adequate B12 intake and monitor B12 levels regularly.
Target id:
/class/acid-suppressors
Target name:
Acid Suppressors (PPIs, H2 Blockers)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chronic use of acid-reducing medications impairs the release of vitamin B12 from food proteins, reducing its absorption over time.
Actionable advice:
If using acid suppressors long-term, monitor vitamin B12 status and consider supplementation.
Target id:
/intervention/levodopa
Target name:
Levodopa
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) accelerates the conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the periphery, preventing it from reaching the brain and reducing its therapeutic effect. This interaction is largely mitigated by co-administration with carbidopa.
Actionable advice:
Avoid B-complex supplements containing high-dose B6 if taking levodopa without carbidopa; consult your neurologist.
Target id:
/class/anticonvulsants
Target name:
Anticonvulsant Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Certain anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital) can lower blood levels of folate (B9), B6, and biotin (B7), while high-dose folate can in turn lower levels of the medication.
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor about monitoring B vitamin levels and potential need for supplementation if on long-term anticonvulsant therapy.
Target id:
/intervention/methotrexate
Target name:
Methotrexate
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Methotrexate works by blocking the action of folate (B9); supplementing with folate can interfere with the drug's efficacy for cancer or autoimmune conditions.
Actionable advice:
Only take folate supplements under the strict guidance of the prescribing physician, as it is sometimes used to manage side effects.
Target id:
/biomarker/thyroid-panel
Target name:
Lab Immunoassays (e.g., Thyroid, Troponin)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
assay_interference
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
72
Hours after target:
null
Description:
High levels of supplemental biotin (B7) can interfere with streptavidin-biotin based laboratory tests, causing falsely high or low results for hormones (thyroid, sex hormones), cardiac markers (troponin), and other analytes.
Actionable advice:
Stop taking any supplements containing biotin for at least 3 days before having blood work done.
Target id:
/biomarker/vitamin-b12
Target name:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Diagnosis
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
High-dose folate (B9) supplementation can correct the megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, masking the condition while allowing irreversible neurological damage to progress.
Actionable advice:
Ensure vitamin B12 status is adequate before starting high-dose folate supplementation; B-complex formulas should be balanced.
Target id:
/dietary/alcohol-chronic
Target name:
Chronic Alcohol Consumption
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chronic alcohol intake impairs the absorption and increases the excretion of multiple B vitamins, especially thiamine (B1), folate (B9), and B6, leading to a high risk of severe deficiency.
Actionable advice:
Individuals with chronic alcohol consumption have significantly higher B vitamin requirements and should consult a healthcare provider.
Target id:
/dietary/raw-egg-whites
Target name:
Raw Egg Whites
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that binds strongly to biotin (B7) in the gut, preventing its absorption and potentially leading to deficiency with chronic consumption.
Actionable advice:
Avoid consuming raw egg whites regularly; cooking denatures the avidin and removes this interaction.
Target id:
/intervention/vitamin-c
Target name:
High-Dose Vitamin C
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Theoretically, taking very large doses of vitamin C (over 500mg) at the same time as vitamin B12 could lead to the degradation of B12 in the digestive tract.
Actionable advice:
Separate doses of B-complex and high-dose vitamin C by at least 2 hours.
Target id:
/class/statins
Target name:
Statins
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Combining high-dose niacin (B3) with statin medications increases the risk of myopathy, a condition involving muscle pain and damage.
Actionable advice:
Do not take high-dose niacin with statins unless specifically prescribed and monitored by your doctor.
Target id:
/class/loop-diuretics
Target name:
Loop Diuretics (e.g., Furosemide)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Long-term use of loop diuretics increases the urinary excretion of thiamine (B1), potentially leading to deficiency.
Actionable advice:
Consider thiamine monitoring or supplementation if on long-term loop diuretic therapy.
Target id:
/dietary/tannin-rich-beverages
Target name:
Tannin-Rich Beverages (Tea, Coffee)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
1
Description:
Tannins found in tea and coffee can bind to thiamine (B1), forming a complex that is difficult to absorb.
Actionable advice:
Separate your B-complex dose from coffee or tea consumption by at least one hour.
Target id:
/class/bile-acid-sequestrants
Target name:
Bile Acid Sequestrants
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
1
Description:
Medications like cholestyramine can bind to niacin (B3) and folate (B9) in the gut, reducing their absorption.
Actionable advice:
Take B-complex at least 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking a bile acid sequestrant.
Target id:
/condition/peripheral-neuropathy
Target name:
Peripheral Neuropathy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chronic intake of high doses of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), typically above 100 mg per day, can cause or worsen sensory peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage.
Actionable advice:
Avoid long-term daily intake of vitamin B6 in excess of 100 mg unless directed by a physician.
Target id:
/intervention/tetracycline-antibiotics
Target name:
Tetracycline Antibiotics
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
B vitamins can interfere with the absorption and effectiveness of tetracycline antibiotics. This is less of a concern with doxycycline and minocycline.
Actionable advice:
Separate doses of B-complex and tetracycline antibiotics by at least 2 hours.