Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (CAS 58-56-0) is the stable, water-soluble hydrochloride salt of pyridoxine, one of the vitamers of vitamin B6. The body converts it to pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), a coenzyme required for more than 100 enzyme reactions, mostly in amino acid metabolism. Its main uses include treating or preventing vitamin B6 deficiency, fortifying foods, formulating pharmaceuticals and supplements, and serving as an analytical reference standard. This guide explains the properties, benefits, applications, quality considerations and safety precautions of pyridoxine hydrochloride.
Few micronutrients are as metabolically versatile as vitamin B6. It participates in the breakdown of amino acids, the synthesis of neurotransmitters, the formation of haemoglobin and the regulation of homocysteine, an amino acid whose elevated blood levels are monitored in cardiovascular research. Because humans cannot synthesise vitamin B6, it must be obtained from the diet or from supplements and fortified products.
In commerce and clinical practice, the most widely used form of vitamin B6 is pyridoxine hydrochloride. The hydrochloride salt is preferred over the free base because it is crystalline, readily soluble in water and comparatively stable, which makes it suitable for tablets, injectable solutions, multivitamin premixes, fortified cereals and analytical work.
For pharmaceutical scientists, nutraceutical formulators, quality-control analysts and procurement teams, a reliable understanding of pyridoxine hydrochloride is essential. Formulation choices depend on its solubility and stability profile; regulatory submissions depend on its impurity profile; and workplace safety depends on correct classification and handling. This article provides an evidence-based overview of all of these aspects, with a focus on pyridoxine hydrochloride uses, pyridoxine hydrochloride benefits, physicochemical properties and safety precautions. It has been prepared by the technical content team at Chemicea Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer and global supplier of pharmaceutical impurity reference standards.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of pyridoxine, the alcohol form of vitamin B6. Its IUPAC name is 4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-3-ol hydrochloride. Structurally, it is a substituted pyridine ring carrying a methyl group, a phenolic hydroxyl group and two hydroxymethyl groups. The molecule is polar, which accounts for its high aqueous solubility and low octanol–water partitioning.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is known by many synonyms, including pyridoxol hydrochloride, adermine hydrochloride, vitamin B6 hydrochloride and pyridoxine HCl. Several historical trade names, such as Hexobion and Benadon, also appear in the literature.
|
Parameter |
Detail |
|
Chemical name |
Pyridoxine hydrochloride |
|
IUPAC name |
4,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridin-3-ol hydrochloride |
|
CAS number |
58-56-0 (free base: 65-23-6) |
|
EC number |
200-386-2 |
|
Molecular formula |
C8H11NO3·HCl (C8H12ClNO3) |
|
Molecular weight |
205.64 g/mol |
|
Common synonyms |
Vitamin B6 hydrochloride, pyridoxol hydrochloride, adermine hydrochloride |
|
Typical form |
White to almost white crystalline powder |
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not identical. Vitamin B6 is the generic name for six interconvertible compounds, or vitamers: pyridoxine (an alcohol), pyridoxal (an aldehyde), pyridoxamine (an amine) and their respective 5′-phosphate esters. Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate (PMP) are the active coenzyme forms. Pyridoxine is the form most commonly found in dietary supplements and fortified foods, and pyridoxine hydrochloride is the salt in which it is usually supplied.
In plant foods, a substantial proportion of the naturally occurring pyridoxine exists in glycosylated forms with reduced bioavailability. This is one reason why intake from supplements and animal-derived foods can differ in effect from intake from plant sources.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride used in commerce is produced synthetically; it is not extracted from foods. Industrial routes build the substituted pyridine ring from small precursors, after which the free base is converted to the hydrochloride salt and purified by crystallisation. The impurity profile of the final material therefore depends on the route of synthesis, the control of reaction conditions and the purification strategy, which is why impurity characterisation is a recurring theme in pharmaceutical quality control.
A clear understanding of the physicochemical profile of pyridoxine hydrochloride supports formulation, analytical method development and safe storage.
|
Property |
Reported value |
|
Appearance |
White to almost white crystalline powder |
|
Melting point |
Approximately 214–215 °C (literature); some sources report values near 207 °C |
|
Water solubility |
Freely soluble; reported at roughly 100–220 g/L at 20 °C depending on the method |
|
Ethanol solubility |
Slightly soluble (about 4.8 g/L at 25 °C in one study) |
|
Other solvents |
Soluble in propylene glycol; sparingly soluble in acetone; insoluble in chloroform and ether |
|
pKa |
Approximately 5.24 |
|
Stability |
Stable in air; sensitive to light and alkaline conditions |
|
Thermal decomposition |
Emits nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride |
|
Biopharmaceutical class |
BCS Class 1 (high solubility, high permeability) |
Values vary slightly between suppliers and methods. Always refer to the certificate of analysis and the safety data sheet of the specific lot.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride dissolves readily in water, and its solubility increases with temperature. In binary solvent systems, the dissolving capacity generally follows the order methanol + water, then ethanol + water, then acetone + water, which reflects solvent polarity. This high aqueous solubility is the basis for its use in oral solutions, injectable formulations and liquid fortification concentrates, and it is consistent with its classification as a BCS Class 1 compound.
The compound is generally stable in air and in acidic to neutral solution, but it degrades when exposed to light and in alkaline media. These observations have practical consequences:
Stability-indicating HPLC methods are widely used to track the parent compound and its degradation products over shelf life. This is one of the main reasons that well-characterised degradation impurities are needed as reference standards.
After oral administration, pyridoxine hydrochloride dissociates, and the free pyridoxine is absorbed in the jejunum by passive diffusion. Within tissues, pyridoxal kinase phosphorylates pyridoxine to pyridoxine 5′-phosphate, which is then oxidised in the liver to pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP). PLP is the principal active coenzyme form of vitamin B6.
PLP acts as a cofactor for a large family of enzymes, mostly involved in protein metabolism. Its principal roles include:
Plasma PLP is the most commonly used biomarker of vitamin B6 status. Concentrations above 30 nmol/L have traditionally indicated adequate status in adults, although the US Food and Nutrition Board used 20 nmol/L as the principal indicator when setting the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
The benefits of pyridoxine hydrochloride arise from its role as the precursor of PLP. The strength of the evidence differs considerably between indications, and it is important to separate established effects from those that remain under investigation.
This is the best-established benefit. Deficiency is uncommon in people eating a varied diet, but it can occur in individuals with kidney disease, malabsorption disorders such as coeliac disease or Crohn's disease, autoimmune conditions, heavy alcohol use, or long-term treatment with certain antiepileptic drugs. Typical clinical signs include cracks and scaling at the corners of the mouth (cheilosis), a swollen, sore tongue (glossitis), seborrhoeic dermatitis-like rashes, depression, confusion and microcytic anaemia. In infants, deficiency may present as irritability and convulsive seizures. Administering pyridoxine hydrochloride corrects these deficits.
Because PLP is required to synthesise serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and GABA, adequate vitamin B6 status is important for normal nervous system function and for brain development during pregnancy and infancy. Pyridoxine is also used therapeutically in specific neurological situations, including the prevention of peripheral neuropathy caused by isoniazid, and in rare inherited conditions that respond to pharmacological doses of the vitamin. Evidence that supplementation improves cognition in people who are not deficient is limited.
By supporting haem synthesis, pyridoxine contributes to normal red blood cell formation. Pyridoxine-responsive (sideroblastic) anaemia is a recognised, though uncommon, clinical entity, and vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with microcytic anaemia.
Vitamin B6, together with folate and vitamin B12, helps maintain normal homocysteine levels. Observational data link adequate intake of these vitamins to lower cardiovascular risk, but randomised trials of homocysteine lowering have not consistently shown reductions in cardiovascular events. The benefit should therefore be described as supporting normal homocysteine metabolism rather than as proven disease prevention.
Pyridoxine, alone or combined with other agents, is widely used as a first-line option for managing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Use during pregnancy should always follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
Pyridoxine has been studied for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and some small trials report improvements in mood-related symptoms. The overall evidence is limited and of variable quality, so this use is considered supportive rather than definitive.
|
Benefit |
Strength of evidence |
Comment |
|
Correcting B6 deficiency |
Strong |
Core clinical use |
|
Preventing isoniazid-related neuropathy |
Established |
Used alongside the anti-tuberculosis drug under medical supervision |
|
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy |
Moderate |
Used in clinical practice; medical guidance required |
|
Homocysteine regulation |
Moderate (biochemical) |
Clinical outcome benefit not firmly established |
|
PMS symptoms |
Limited |
Small trials; mixed results |
|
Cognitive performance in non-deficient adults |
Limited |
Insufficient evidence |
The versatility of the compound explains its presence across the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and research sectors. The main pyridoxine hydrochloride uses are summarised below.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a standard ingredient in single-nutrient B6 products, B-complex formulations and multivitamin and mineral supplements. Its crystalline form, solubility and stability allow it to be blended consistently into tablets, capsules, powders, effervescent products and liquid concentrates.
The compound is permitted as a nutrient supplement in food in many jurisdictions, and in the United States it is addressed in FDA regulations governing substances added to food. Typical vehicles include breakfast cereals, nutrition bars, beverages and infant and clinical nutrition products. Because fortified cereals are a major source of vitamin B6 in some diets, fortification contributes meaningfully to population intake.
As a BCS Class 1 compound with well-understood chemistry, pyridoxine hydrochloride is used as an active ingredient in oral solid dosage forms, oral liquids and injectable preparations, frequently combined with thiamine and cyanocobalamin. Formulators must manage its photosensitivity and its compatibility with alkaline excipients.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is listed in cosmetic ingredient databases with antistatic, hair-conditioning and skin-conditioning functions, and it appears in some hair-care and skin-care formulations.
High-purity grades are used as a media component in cell culture, including mammalian, insect and plant cell systems. Pharmacopoeial and secondary standards of pyridoxine hydrochloride are used in assay and related-substances testing, and stable isotope-labelled analogues support quantitative bioanalysis of vitamin B6 in biological matrices.
|
Sector |
Typical role of pyridoxine hydrochloride |
|
Pharmaceuticals |
Active ingredient in tablets, solutions and injectables |
|
Nutraceuticals |
B6 source in single and multi-ingredient supplements |
|
Food and beverage |
Fortificant in cereals, bars, drinks and clinical nutrition |
|
Cosmetics |
Skin- and hair-conditioning ingredient |
|
Biotechnology |
Cell culture medium component |
|
Quality control |
Reference material for assay and impurity testing |
For any use in regulated products, the identity, strength and purity of pyridoxine hydrochloride must be demonstrated. Quality is typically controlled against pharmacopoeial monographs, with orthogonal analytical techniques used to profile related substances.
Impurities can arise from starting materials, synthetic by-products, degradation during storage and, increasingly, from nitrosamine formation risks. Regulators expect manufacturers to identify, quantify and control impurities according to established thresholds. Characterised impurity reference standards are therefore required for:
Chemicea Pharmaceuticals lists a dedicated Pyridoxine range that includes pyridoxine hydrochloride itself, pharmacopoeial impurities, process and degradation impurities, isotope-labelled standards and N-nitroso impurities. Examples from the catalogue include:
|
Product |
Catalogue no. |
CAS no. |
|
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride |
CP-P34000 |
58-56-0 |
|
Pyridoxine EP Impurity A (hydrochloride) |
CP-P34001 |
1006-21-9 |
|
Pyridoxine EP Impurity B (hydrochloride) |
CP-P34002 |
148-51-6 |
|
Bispyridoxine |
CP-P34003 |
19203-56-6 |
|
Isopyridoxal Hydrochloride |
CP-P34004 |
90005-85-9 |
|
4-Pyridoxic Acid |
CP-P34013 |
82-82-6 |
|
Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate |
CP-P34014 |
54-47-7 |
Availability (in stock or custom synthesis) varies by product. Please confirm current status on the Chemicea website.
Safety must be considered on two levels: the safety of vitamin B6 intake by people, and the safe handling of the pure chemical in laboratories and manufacturing environments.
Dietary and recommended intakes. Naturally occurring vitamin B6 from food has not been associated with toxicity. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for adults is 100 mg per day from all sources.
High-dose toxicity. The principal adverse effect of excessive pyridoxine is sensory peripheral neuropathy. The first reports described neuropathy of the extremities in women taking 2,000 to 6,000 mg daily, largely for premenstrual symptoms. Most reported cases involve intakes above 600 mg per day, although some evidence suggests neuropathy can occur at 300 to 500 mg in susceptible individuals. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning pain and loss of coordination. The condition often improves slowly, and sometimes incompletely, after intake stops.
Other reported effects. Large doses may cause nausea, skin lesions, photosensitivity and heartburn in some individuals.
Medication interactions. Several drugs, including isoniazid, cycloserine, hydralazine and penicillamine, can lower vitamin B6 status. Certain antiepileptic drugs increase B6 catabolism. Conversely, pharmacological doses of pyridoxine can interact with some medicines. Individuals who take medications regularly should discuss B6 supplementation with their healthcare provider.
Special populations. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with kidney impairment and those on long-term therapy should use supplemental pyridoxine only on professional advice.
Classification of pyridoxine hydrochloride varies between suppliers. Several European safety data sheets, including that of the EDQM reference standard, classify it as Serious Eye Damage, Category 1 (H318: Causes serious eye damage) with the signal word "Danger". An aggregated review of notifications to the European Chemicals Agency shows that the large majority of notifiers assign this statement. Other suppliers state that the product is not hazardous under the US OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. Some chemical-database aggregators list unrelated flammability statements that appear to refer to solution products rather than the solid. For this reason, the safety data sheet supplied with the specific lot is the controlling document, and a conservative approach, treating the powder as a serious eye-damage hazard, is recommended.
Acute oral toxicity in animals is low: reported oral LD50 values in the rat are in the region of 4 g/kg.
|
Exposure route |
Recommended action |
|
Eyes |
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes (at least 15 minutes is commonly advised); remove contact lenses if easy to do; call a poison centre or doctor immediately |
|
Skin |
Remove contaminated clothing and wash with soap and plenty of water; seek advice if irritation persists |
|
Inhalation |
Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms occur |
|
Ingestion |
Rinse mouth with water; do not induce vomiting; seek medical advice if unwell |
Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from strong oxidisers and alkaline materials, and protected from light. Retest or re-evaluate material at the intervals specified in the quality system.
Suitable extinguishing media include water spray, foam, dry chemical and carbon dioxide. Combustion can generate carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride gas, so firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus. For spills, avoid generating dust, collect the material mechanically into suitable containers and prevent entry into drains and waterways.
Dispose of the substance and its container at an appropriate treatment and disposal facility in accordance with local, regional and national regulations.
Most people in the United States obtain sufficient vitamin B6 from their diet. Rich sources include fish, beef liver and other organ meats, poultry, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, chickpeas, non-citrus fruit and fortified cereals.
|
Life stage |
Recommended amount (mg/day) |
|
Infants 0–6 months |
0.1 |
|
Infants 7–12 months |
0.3 |
|
Children 1–3 years |
0.5 |
|
Children 4–8 years |
0.6 |
|
Children 9–13 years |
1.0 |
|
Teens 14–18 years (boys / girls) |
1.3 / 1.2 |
|
Adults 19–50 years |
1.3 |
|
Adults 51+ years (men / women) |
1.7 / 1.5 |
|
Pregnancy |
1.9 |
|
Breastfeeding |
2.0 |
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
Chemicea Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and global supplier of pharmaceutical impurity reference standards, operating in line with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 17034:2016 guidelines. Established in 2016, the company serves more than 2,000 customers worldwide and specialises in complex impurities, nitrosamines, stable isotope-labelled compounds, metabolites and custom synthesis.
For pyridoxine, Chemicea offers pyridoxine hydrochloride alongside pharmacopoeial, process, degradation and nitrosamine-related impurities, and can support requirements that are not listed through custom synthesis. Analytical teams can use these materials for method development, validation, stability studies and regulatory submissions. To discuss your requirement, visit the Pyridoxine page at chemicea.com or contact the team at [email protected].
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a well-characterised, highly soluble and widely used source of vitamin B6. Its physiological value rests on its conversion to PLP, the coenzyme that underpins amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis and haem formation. The strongest pyridoxine hydrochloride benefits relate to preventing and correcting deficiency, with additional therapeutic roles in drug-induced neuropathy and pregnancy-related nausea; other proposed benefits remain less certain. Across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, cosmetic and research settings, its uses depend on controlling stability, purity and impurity profile.
Safety is equally important. At dietary and recommended levels the compound is safe, but chronic high-dose supplementation can cause neuropathy, and the pure powder should be handled with eye protection and good laboratory practice. When in doubt, consult the lot-specific safety data sheet and a qualified professional.
For high-quality pyridoxine hydrochloride and related impurity reference standards, Chemicea Pharmaceuticals is ready to support your quality-control and regulatory needs.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the hydrochloride salt of pyridoxine, a form of vitamin B6. It is a white crystalline powder with the CAS number 58-56-0 and a molecular weight of 205.64 g/mol. It is widely used in supplements, fortified foods, pharmaceuticals and as an analytical reference standard.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is one specific form of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is a group of six related compounds, including pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine and their phosphate esters. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the salt most often used in supplements and fortification because it is stable and water-soluble.
The main uses are treating or preventing vitamin B6 deficiency, preventing drug-induced peripheral neuropathy, managing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and supplementing B-complex products. It is also used for food fortification, pharmaceutical formulation, cosmetics, cell culture media and as a quality-control reference standard.
The best-supported benefit is correcting vitamin B6 deficiency, which restores amino acid, neurotransmitter and haemoglobin metabolism. It also helps maintain normal homocysteine metabolism. Claims for PMS relief, cognition and cardiovascular prevention are supported by weaker or mixed evidence, so they should be presented cautiously.
After absorption in the small intestine, pyridoxine is phosphorylated and converted in the liver to pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP). PLP is a coenzyme for more than 100 enzyme reactions, including amino acid transamination, neurotransmitter synthesis and the first step of haem biosynthesis.
Yes. It is freely soluble in water, with reported solubility roughly between 100 and 220 g/L at 20 °C depending on the method. It is only slightly soluble in ethanol and insoluble in chloroform and ether, which makes it suitable for aqueous and injectable formulations.
Store it in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, protected from light. The compound is sensitive to light and alkaline conditions, so amber or opaque packaging and acidic-to-neutral formulation conditions are recommended to preserve potency.
For adults, the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin B6 is 100 mg per day from all sources. Sensory neuropathy has been reported mainly at intakes above 600 mg per day, and occasionally at 300–500 mg per day. Always follow professional advice before taking high-dose supplements.
At recommended intakes, side effects are uncommon. Long-term high doses can cause sensory peripheral neuropathy, with numbness, tingling and burning pain. Other reported effects include nausea, heartburn, skin lesions and photosensitivity. Symptoms often improve after stopping, though recovery can be slow or incomplete.
Many safety data sheets classify it as causing serious eye damage (H318), so goggles, gloves and dust control are advised. Some suppliers list it as non-hazardous, so always follow the safety data sheet of the specific lot and apply conservative precautions.
Yes. Isoniazid, cycloserine, hydralazine and penicillamine can lower vitamin B6 status, and some antiepileptic drugs increase its breakdown. Pyridoxine can also affect how certain medicines work. Anyone on regular medication should consult a doctor or pharmacist before supplementing.
Chemicea Pharmaceuticals offers pyridoxine hydrochloride and a range of related standards, including EP impurities, process and degradation impurities, isotope-labelled materials and nitrosamine impurities. Visit chemicea.com or email [email protected] for availability, documentation and custom synthesis options.