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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.
Vitamins (VYE-ta-mins) are compounds that you must have for growth and health. They are needed in small amounts only and are usually available in the foods that you eat. Riboflavin (RYE-boe-flay-vin) (vitamin B 2 ) is needed to help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It also makes it possible for oxygen to be used by your body.
Lack of riboflavin may lead to itching and burning eyes, sensitivity of eyes to light, sore tongue, itching and peeling skin on the nose and scrotum, and sores in the mouth. Your doctor may treat this condition by prescribing riboflavin for you.
Some conditions may increase your need for riboflavin. These include:
In addition, riboflavin may be given to infants with high blood levels of bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia).
Increased need for riboflavin should be determined by your health care professional.
Claims that riboflavin is effective for treatment of acne, some kinds of anemia (weak blood), migraine headaches, and muscle cramps have not been proven.
Oral forms of riboflavin are available without a prescription. If you take more than you need, it will simply be lost from your body.
Riboflavin is available in the following dosage form:
Riboflavin is found in various foods, including milk and dairy products, fish, meats, green leafy vegetables, and whole grain and enriched cereals and bread. It is best to eat fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible since they contain the most vitamins. Food processing may destroy some of the vitamins, although little riboflavin is lost from foods during ordinary cooking.
Vitamins alone will not take the place of a good diet and will not provide energy. Your body also needs other substances found in food such as protein, minerals, carbohydrates, and fat. Vitamins themselves often cannot work without the presence of other foods.
The daily amount of riboflavin needed is defined in several different ways.
Normal daily recommended intakes for riboflavin are generally defined as follows:
| Persons | U.S. (mg) |
Canada (mg) |
| Infants
and children Birth to 3 years of age |
0.4-0.8 | 0.3-0.7 |
| 4 to 6 years of age | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| 7 to 10 years of age | 1.2 | 1-1.3 |
| Adolescent and adult males | 1.4-1.8 | 1-1.6 |
| Adolescent and adult females | 1.2-1.3 | 1-1.1 |
| Pregnant females | 1.6 | 1.1-1.4 |
| Breast-feeding females | 1.7-1.8 | 1.4-1.5 |
If you are taking this dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For riboflavin, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamins when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amounts of vitamins throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement in pregnancy may be harmful to the mother and/or fetus and should be avoided.
Breast-feeding--It is especially important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins so that your baby will also get the vitamins needed to grow properly. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and should be avoided.
Children--Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
Older adults--Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
Other medicines or dietary supplements--Although certain medicines or dietary supplements should not be used together
at all, in other cases two different medicines or dietary supplements may
be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your
health care professional may want to change the dose, or other precautions
may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any
other dietary supplements or prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine. Dosing--The amount of riboflavin needed to meet normal
daily recommended intakes will be different for different patients. The following
information includes only the average amounts of riboflavin. Missed dose--If you miss taking a vitamin for 1 or more days
there is no cause for concern, since it takes some time for your body to become
seriously low in vitamins. However, if your health care professional has recommended
that you take this vitamin, try to remember to take it as directed every day.
Storage--To store this dietary supplement: Along with its needed effects, a dietary supplement may cause some unwanted
effects. Riboflavin may cause urine to have a more yellow color than normal,
especially if large doses are taken. This is to be expected and is no cause
for alarm. Usually, however, riboflavin does not cause any side effects. Check
with your health care professional if you notice any other unusual effects
while you are using it.
Revised: 05/01/95
Proper Use of This Dietary Supplement
Side Effects of This Dietary Supplement
Interim revision:
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