About biotin
Water-soluble B vitamin
Used for
- Treating or preventing biotin deficiency, which is uncommon.
- Biotin deficiency may cause hair loss, skin rash, or brittle nails.
Usual adult dose
For confirmed deficiency, often 5–10 mg once daily; dose depends on cause and clinical guidance.
Usual dose in children
For confirmed deficiency, dose depends on age and cause; treatment should be supervised by a clinician.
Common side effects
- Usually well tolerated.
- Nausea or digestive upset can occur.
Important warnings
- Biotin can interfere with laboratory tests, including thyroid and heart tests, causing misleading results.
- Tell healthcare professionals and testing laboratories about biotin use before blood tests.
- Evidence is limited for improving hair, skin, or nails without deficiency.
Pregnancy
Biotin needs increase during pregnancy, but high-dose supplements should be used only with clinical guidance.
Breastfeeding
Biotin is present in breast milk; high-dose supplements should be used with clinical guidance.
Interactions
- Can interfere with certain laboratory tests rather than directly interacting with medicines.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.