Dosing and uses of riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 50mg
- 400mg
tablet
- 25mg
- 50mg
- 100mg
RDa
Males: 1.3 mg/day
Females: 1.1 mg/day
Pregnant: 1.4 mg/day
Nursing: 1.6 mg/day
Riboflavin Deficiency
Supplementation is indicated for adults with riboflavin deficiency syndromes
6-30 mg/day PO in divided doses
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 50mg
- 400mg
tablet
- 25mg
- 50mg
- 100mg
RDa
0-6 months: 0.3 mg/day
5-12 months: 0.4 mg/day
1-3 years: 0.5 mg/day
3-8 years: 0.6 mg/day
8-13 years: 0.9 mg/day
13-18 years: 1.3 mg/day (Male); 1 mg/day (Female)
Riboflavin Deficiency
<3 years: Not established
3-12 years: 3-10 mg/day PO in divided doses
≥12 years: 6-30 mg/day PO in divided doses
riboflavin (vitamin B2) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Yellow orange urine
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Cautions
Pregnancy (doses >RDA)
Discuss use of drug and side effects with patients as it relates to treatment
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: A (within RDA); C (>RDA)
Lactation: Safe
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Nutrition
Sources: beef liver, almonds, milk, dairy products, egg, fish, spinach
Function: participates in physiologic processes
Deficiency: (very rare): swelling of lining of mouth and nose, mouth and lip sores, inflammation of tongue, dermatitis, anemia
Reduced by: sunlight, alcohoL
Toxicity: none known
Pharmacology of riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Mechanism of action
Component of flavoprotein enzymes, that are necessaryfor normal tissue respiration; plays a role in activation of pyridoxine and conversion of tryptophan to niacin
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Via GI tract; increases with food
Metabolism: Liver
