Pantothenic acid (Oral)

Vitamins are substances you need for growth and health. You only need them in small amounts, and they are usually found in the foods you eat. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B 5) is important for breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

No issues have been found that are caused by not having enough pantothenic acid by itself. However, not having one B vitamin often means you are also lacking others, so pantothenic acid is commonly included in B complex products.

There is no proof that pantothenic acid works for treating nerve damage, breathing issues, itching and other skin problems, poisoning from certain drugs; for getting rid of or preventing gray hair; for preventing arthritis, allergies, and birth defects; or for improving mental ability.

You can get this vitamin without a prescription.

For good health, it is essential to eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow any diet plan your health care professional recommends. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of suitable foods. If you believe you are not getting enough vitamins and/or minerals in your diet, you may choose to take a dietary supplement.

Pantothenic acid is present in many foods, including peas and beans (except green beans), lean meat, poultry, fish, and whole-grain cereals. Cooking food in usual ways does not lead to much loss of pantothenic acid.

Vitamins alone cannot replace a healthy diet and will not give you energy. Your body also needs other nutrients found in food—protein, minerals, carbohydrates, and fat.

The daily amount of pantothenic acid needed is defined in several ways.

• For U.S.—
• Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) indicate how much vitamins and minerals are needed for adequate nutrition in most healthy people. RDAs for a nutrient can vary based on a person's age, sex, and physical condition (e.g., pregnancy).
• Daily Values (DVs) for nutrients are found on food and dietary supplement labels to show the percentage of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient that a serving gives. DVs replace the old term United States Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs).

• For Canada—
• Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to figure out the amounts of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed for adequate nutrition and to reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Since a lack of pantothenic acid is very rare, there is no RDA or RNI for this vitamin. The following daily amounts are considered sufficient for most people:

• Infants and children— Birth to 3 years of age: 2 to 3 milligrams (mg). 4 to 6 years of age: 3 to 4 mg. 7 to 10 years of age: 4 to 5 mg.
• Adolescents and adults—4 to 7 mg.

If you are taking this dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any warnings on the label. For this supplement, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

No problems in children have been reported with the intake of normal daily recommended amounts.

Geriatric

No problems in older adults have been reported with the intake of normal daily recommended amounts.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these cases, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

In the U.S.

• Panto-250

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Nutritive Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Vitamin B (class)

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, tablets, oral solution): To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes: Adults and teenagers—4 to 7 milligrams (mg) per day. Children 7 to 10 years of age—4 to 5 mg per day. Children 4 to 6 years of age—3 to 4 mg per day. Children birth to 3 years of age—2 to 3 mg per day. To treat deficiency: Adults, teenagers, and children—Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on severity of deficiency.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the dietary supplement in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.