My Doctor perscribed 500mgc of vitamin B-12. when I ran out of the bottle I went to Walgreens and got 1000mgc tablets. I was just wondering if it is ok to take them or should I go back to Walgreen and get the 500mgc
2006-09-18 10:02:32 · 6 answers · asked by Timothy F 1 in Health ➔ Men's Health
Yes, high doses of certain B vitamins can cause neurological symptoms, such as tingling in the hands and feet (called peripheral paresthesia), when taken by certain patients over a few months. However, any B vitamin your body doesn't use will be easily eliminated by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. As long as you have normal kidney function and you take note of any tingling sensations, you will be absolutely fine taking 1000 micrograms daily.
2006-09-18 10:15:02 · answer #1 · answered by Kokopellimana 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure which one it is, but it is possible to overdose on one of the B vitamins. It causes neurological problems that are easily reversed by not taking the vitamin anymore. OTC vitamins should be safe, but why mess with what your doctor has prescribed. Go back and trade the 1000mgc for the 500mgc.
2006-09-18 10:07:22 · answer #2 · answered by Gypsy Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You *can* take too much of certain vitamins, but B-12 is not one of them. All the B vitamins, and also C are water soluble which means your body can get rid of excess really easily in your urine. In order to overdose on these you'd have to take an enormous amount (like a handful of pills every day). If your kidneys aren't working, that could also screw you over.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble which makes it harder for your body to get rid of them. They don't dissolve well in water and hence they won't come out in your urine.
Generally speaking, you can trust that the instruction labels on the vitamin bottles won't tell you to do something that is dangerous. Even though they aren't FDA-regulated, if the instructions led to someone getting sick/dying the vitamin company would be hit with a hefty lawsuit.
2006-09-18 10:14:07 · answer #3 · answered by grimmyTea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can overdose on almost any vitamin. Try breaking the tablets in half if you can.
2006-09-18 10:07:21 · answer #4 · answered by terra_chan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you can OD on vitamins, or at least not very easily. Your body just flushes through what it doesn't use.
2006-09-18 10:04:20 · answer #5 · answered by retorik75 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go get the 500 mgc size.
2006-09-18 10:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by dt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋