Biotin (vitamin B7) is a water-soluble vitamin. It is sometimes known as vitamin H. Only a small amount is needed, and many foods contain the vitamin. Also, the intestinal flora (the microorganisms that live in the digestive tract) produce it, and it is "recycled" within the human body. As a result, deficiencies are quite rare, although some situations may increase the risk of a deficiency (such as certain medications or medical conditions).
Biotin is essential for human health, and deficiencies can cause a wide variety of problems. People often use it for nail or hair health, although there has been recent interest in biotin for other uses, such as for
high cholesterol.
Biotin is necessary for the proper functioning of various enzymes. These enzymes are essential for several different functions within the body.
Biotin is effective at treating biotin deficiencies and may possibly be effective for other uses as well
(see Does Biotin Work? for more information).
The Institute of Medicine has provided general guidelines for dietary requirements for most people. However, dosing recommendations for specific uses (rather than for general nutritional supplementation) have not yet been established.
Most people will experience little or no side effects from this type of supplementation. There have been rare reports of problems, but it is difficult to know if such problems are true side effects of the supplement or are caused by other factors.
(Click Biotin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
There are no known drug interactions with this vitamin supplement. However, there are some drugs that can increase the risk of a biotin deficiency
(see Biotin Drug Interactions).
Based on available information, biotin seems safe for most people. Some people are more likely than others to experience problems due to drugs and supplements. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this supplement if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Biotin Safety for more information, including any available warnings and precautions.)
What If I Take a Biotin Overdose?
An overdose is unlikely to cause serious problems, as the vitamin is water-soluble (which means that any excess is usually excreted in the urine). However, it is often combined with other vitamins or minerals (such as in a multivitamin), and overdose symptoms could occur due to the other active ingredients.
