Biotin

Generic name: Biotin (oral)
Drug class: Vitamins

Usage of Biotin

Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is a form of vitamin B found in foods. Biotin helps the body break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy.

Biotin is likely effective in alternative medicine as an aid in treating or preventing low levels of biotin. Low levels of biotin can be caused by malnutrition, rapid weight loss, long-term tube feeding, and other medical conditions.

Biotin has also been used to treat the sypmptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and seborrhea (in babies). However, research has shown that biotin may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating brittle nails, hair loss, diabetes, nerve pain, depression, and other conditions.

Biotin may also be used in combination with other vitamins in adults and children as a dietary supplement.

It is not certain whether biotin is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Biotin should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Biotin is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Biotin may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Biotin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects may include diarrhea or respiratory problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Biotin

You should not use this product if you are allergic to biotin.

Before using biotin, talk to your healthcare provider. Your dose needs may be different if you:

have a deficiency of the enzyme called biotinidase;

smoke; or

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Ask a doctor before using this product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

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Warnings

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Biotin

Taking certain medicines can lower your blood levels of biotin, which could affect your biotin dose needs. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using biotin with any other medications, especially:

Carbamazepine;

phenobarbital;

phenytoin; or

primidone.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect biotin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.