Recognize High Biotin Side Effects

November 12, 2012

Recognize High Biotin Side Effects

Biotin is a vitamin sold under a variety of names such as Biotina, Vitamin H, Vitamin B7 or Coenzyme R. Although biotin is present in many foods such as nuts and legumes, people may need to take biotin supplements if they have been diagnosed with biotin deficiency. Low biotin side effects include hair loss, inflamed eyes and a red skin rash. But taking too much biotin can lead to high biotin side effects.

It is very rare for anyone to suffer from an overdose of biotin since the body normally flushes out any excess biotin in urine. But reports of biotic toxicity have been reported in people taking mega doses that also take doses of pantothenic acid. Biotin side effects also include bad interactions with certain medications or nutritional supplements.

Symptoms of Biotin Toxicity

There is very little consensual evidence in the medical community as to what the common high biotin symptoms are. This is because biotin toxicity happens so rarely. But the Linus Pauling Center reports that one woman nearly died from eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion, which predisposes a person towards getting constant infections. But this woman also took large doses of pantothenic acid, so it is unknown if the combination nearly killed her or just the biotin mega doses.

In studies on pregnant rats given mega doses of biotin, problems occurred in the placenta, which caused many of the female rats to suffer miscarriages or give birth to baby rats with birth defects. It is currently unknown if this could happen to pregnant human females, but it is not worth taking the risk. Do not take more than 300 micrograms of biotin daily if pregnant.

Drug Interaction

Most dangerous biotin side effects are due to biotin interacting poorly with medications. People taking anti-seizure medications or cholesterol medications should not take large doses of biotin, because the effectiveness of these medications drops radically when introduced to biotin. People also should avoid alcohol when taking biotin supplements because the alcohol will wind up neutralizing the biotin.

Another strange interaction is if a person eats raw egg whites. This neutralizes biotin in the intestines and basically makes them unable to their job. Even taking biotin supplements when eating raw egg whites will not help negate low biotin side effects. Never eat raw egg whites.


To prevent high biotin side effects, people need to stick with the recommended dosages and not try to self-medicate with large doses. People need a very small amount of biotin per day. Adults over the age of 18 need only 30 micrograms per day. Newborns only need 5 to 10 micrograms per day. Children ages 4 to 18 only need 12 to 20 micrograms per day.

Before taking any nutritional or vitamin supplement, always consult with your doctor or nutritionist. Just because a product may be labeled natural does not mean it is completely safe. Be sure your doctor or nutritionist has a complete list of all of the medications you take so they can adequately check for any potential bad interactions with biotin.


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