Biotin

What is Biotin

Biotin (vitamin H; coenzyme R; classified as a B vitamin) is a dietary component that is important for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids.

It is found primarily in liver, kidney, and muscle. Biotin functions as an essential cofactor for five carboxylases that catalyze steps in fatty acid, glucose, and amino acid metabolism. It is also an important factor in histone modifications, gene regulation, and cell signaling.

Mammals must consume biotin to replenish stores. Sources of biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, seeds, and nuts.

As a dietary supplement, biotin has been promoted to be useful in the treatment of hair and nail problems, cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) in phenylketonuria patients, biotinidase deficiency, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, candida infections, and high cholesterol.

It has also been used in pregnancy, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis, as biotin deficiency is more likely in these situations. Biotin is found in many cosmetics products.

Radiolabeled biotin is used for pretargeted radioimmunotherapy of cancerous tumors.

Indications

• nutritional supplementation

For nutritional supplementation of biotin according to recommended reference dietary intakes

Side Effects

• pericardial effusion

Biotin has been very rarely associated with any adverse effects, even with high doses. There is one case report of life-threatening eosinophilic pleuro-pericardial effusion in an elderly woman who took a combination of 10 mg/day of biotin and 300 mg/day of pantothenic acid for two months.

Monitoring Parameters

• laboratory monitoring not necessary

Contraindications

• breast-feeding
• laboratory test interference
• pregnancy

Interactions

• Atropine; Hyoscyamine; Phenobarbital; Scopolamine
• Belladonna Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Phenobarbital
• Carbamazepine
• Ethanol
• food
• Fosphenytoin
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Primidone