Quick Answer
Yes, vitamin B6 can help ease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. ACOG lists vitamin B6 as a first-line option, and research suggests it can reduce pregnancy-related nausea for some people.
B6 is not a treatment for every kind of nausea, though. If you are pregnant and considering a B6 supplement, check your prenatal vitamin first and talk with your OB-GYN, midwife, or pharmacist about how much you need.
How May Vitamin B6 Help With Nausea?
Vitamin B6 and the Nervous System
Vitamin B6 plays a role in how your brain and nervous system work, including the production of chemicals that help nerve cells communicate. One form of B6, called pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), is used by the body in these processes.
Researchers are still working out exactly how B6 may help with nausea during pregnancy. What we do know is that it has been studied for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting and is used as one of the options for managing these symptoms.
What the Research Shows
Vitamin B6 has been studied for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, and the results are encouraging. Several studies have found that it can help reduce nausea and, in some cases, vomiting as well.
One placebo-controlled study found that women who took vitamin B6 had less vomiting over the three-day study period. The difference was less clear when the researchers looked at nausea alone, especially among women with mild to moderate symptoms.
Other reviews have reached a similar overall conclusion: vitamin B6 may help with pregnancy nausea, but the quality of the available research is not the same across every study. That is why it is better to say that B6 may ease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy rather than promise that it will make morning sickness go away. ACOG includes vitamin B6 among the first options that may be tried for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
How Long Vitamin B6 May Take to Work
There is no set timeline for when vitamin B6 should start helping pregnancy nausea. Some people may notice a difference after starting it, while others may find that it does not give them enough relief.
If your nausea is still getting worse or making it hard to eat and drink, it may be time to consider another treatment rather than simply taking more B6.
Does Vitamin B6 Help With Morning Sickness?
Evidence for Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
Despite the name, morning sickness is not limited to the morning. Nausea can show up at any time of day, with or without vomiting, and it can be mild enough to come and go or strong enough to make eating, drinking, sleeping, and getting through the day difficult.
For mild to moderate symptoms, B6 may be enough to make nausea more manageable. But if you are vomiting often, struggling to keep fluids down, or starting to lose weight, B6 may not be enough on its own. In that case, you may need another treatment to get your symptoms under control.
Vitamin B6 Alone vs. Vitamin B6 With Doxylamine
Sometimes vitamin B6 on its own is enough to make nausea easier to handle. For others, it may not be enough, and a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine may be recommended. ACOG includes this combination as an option when nausea and vomiting continue.
Doxylamine is an antihistamine that can make you sleepy, so it is not something to add to your routine without first checking with your healthcare professional. This is especially worth keeping in mind if you need to drive, work, or care for a child during the day.
If your doctor or pharmacist recommends a product that contains both ingredients, check the label so you know exactly what you are taking and how much. The right dose can depend on the product and your individual situation.
What Results Are Realistic?
You may notice that you vomit less often, can eat a little more comfortably, or find it easier to drink enough throughout the day. The change may be small at first rather than a complete stop to your nausea.
If B6 is not giving you enough relief, there are other treatments for pregnancy nausea and vomiting. You do not have to keep putting up with symptoms that are making it difficult to eat, drink, sleep, or get through your day.
How to Take Vitamin B6 Safely for Pregnancy Nausea
Common Dosing Approaches
The amount of vitamin B6 used for pregnancy nausea can be higher than the amount you need from your diet each day. Studies have used pyridoxine in doses of 10 to 25 mg at different times throughout the day, although the right amount can vary depending on the product and your individual needs.
Because these doses are higher than the usual daily requirement during pregnancy, it is a good idea to check with your OB-GYN, midwife, or pharmacist before adding extra B6. They can help you figure out whether you need it and how much is appropriate for you.
For reference, the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 during pregnancy is 1.9 mg. The amounts studied for pregnancy nausea are higher because they are being used for symptom relief rather than simply meeting your daily nutritional needs.
When and How Often to Take It
If you are using vitamin B6 for pregnancy nausea, taking it at the same times each day can make it easier to see whether it is helping. Follow the directions for the product or regimen you are using.
It can also help to notice when your nausea tends to be at its worst. Maybe mornings are the hardest, or you feel worse after going too long without eating or around certain smells. These patterns can help you work out what triggers your nausea and what makes it easier to manage.
Checking Prenatal Vitamins and Other Supplements
Before adding a separate B6 supplement, check the label on your prenatal vitamin and any other supplements you take. You may already be getting vitamin B6 from more than one product.
Look at the amount of B6 listed on each label and keep track of what you take each day. This simple check can help you avoid accidentally doubling up on the same vitamin.
When to Consult Your OB-GYN Before Taking It
Extra B6 may not be the right choice for everyone. If you take prescription medicines, have a medical condition, or are already using several supplements, your doctor or pharmacist can help you decide whether adding more B6 makes sense.
It is also worth getting help if nausea is becoming difficult to control, especially if you are vomiting so often that you cannot keep food or fluids down.
Can Vitamin B6 Help With Other Types of Nausea?
Birth Control-Related Nausea
Some people feel nauseated after starting hormonal birth control or switching to a different method. Vitamin B6 has been studied for these side effects, but the results have not shown a clear benefit. In one randomized study, B6 did not significantly reduce the side effects reported by women taking a low-dose combination birth control pill.
If the nausea started around the same time as a change in birth control, the medication itself may be worth considering as a possible cause.
Motion Sickness
Vitamin B6 has not been shown to prevent or relieve motion sickness. The CDC's Yellow Book notes that there is no evidence that pyridoxine helps with motion sickness.
If car rides, flights, or boat trips regularly make you nauseated, there are other options specifically used for motion sickness.
Chemotherapy-Related Nausea
Chemotherapy can cause nausea, and the medicines used to control it depend on the cancer treatment and the person receiving it. Vitamin B6 is not one of the usual treatments for chemotherapy-related nausea.
If you are going through chemotherapy, follow the nausea treatment plan from your cancer care team rather than trying to manage it with B6.
Why Vitamin B6 Is Not a General Treatment for Every Cause of Nausea
Vitamin B6 has been studied most clearly for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Other causes of nausea, such as an infection, migraine, medication side effect, or stomach problem, may need a different approach.
If you are not sure what is causing your nausea, especially if it keeps coming back or becomes severe, it is worth finding out what is behind it before adding another supplement.
Vitamin B6 Foods, Supplements, and Safety
Foods High in Vitamin B6
You can get vitamin B6 from plenty of everyday foods, including chicken, fish, potatoes, chickpeas, bananas, and fortified cereals. Eating a variety of these foods can help you get the B6 your body needs during pregnancy.
Food alone is not usually a concern when it comes to getting too much B6. The bigger concern is taking high amounts through supplements, especially when several products contain vitamin B6.
Pyridoxine vs. P5P
Pyridoxine is the form of vitamin B6 most commonly found in supplements. You may also see P5P, short for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, listed on some labels.
Seeing "active" B6 on a bottle does not automatically mean it will work better for pregnancy nausea. There is not enough evidence to say that P5P is better than pyridoxine for this purpose. For pregnancy nausea, the form matters less than having evidence that the treatment actually helps.
Daily Requirements vs. Therapeutic Doses
During pregnancy, the recommended daily amount of vitamin B6 is 1.9 mg. That number is meant to cover your everyday nutritional needs. Studies looking at B6 for pregnancy nausea have used higher amounts.
So the amount listed in your prenatal vitamin should not be compared directly with the amounts used in nausea research. Your prenatal vitamin is there to help meet your daily nutrient needs; B6 used for nausea is being taken for a different purpose.
Upper Limits and the Risk of Nerve Damage
The NIH lists 100 mg of vitamin B6 per day as the upper limit for adults in the U.S., including during pregnancy. The European Food Safety Authority set a much lower adult limit of 12 mg per day in 2023. These limits are different because the two organizations used different assessments of the available safety data.
Neither number is a target. Taking high amounts of B6 from supplements over a long period can damage the nerves, causing symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or changes in sensation. This is not generally a concern from eating foods that contain B6.
If you use a separate B6 supplement, look at the amount on the label and add it to the B6 you are already getting from your prenatal vitamin and other supplements.
Possible Medication and Supplement Interactions
If you take medication for nausea or any other condition, check whether vitamin B6 is already part of the treatment before adding a separate supplement. Doxylamine is one example. It is often used alongside B6 for pregnancy nausea and can cause drowsiness.
That drowsiness can matter if you need to drive, work, or take care of a child. Read the label of any nausea medicine you use so you know what it contains and how it may affect you.
What Else Can Help With Pregnancy Nausea?
Eating Small and Frequent Meals
An empty stomach can sometimes make nausea worse. ACOG recommends eating smaller meals more often and choosing foods that you can tolerate without feeling more sick.
If mornings are especially difficult, try keeping a few crackers or another light snack by your bed and eating a little before you get up. During the day, having small meals or snacks every few hours may feel easier than waiting until you are very hungry.
Protein, Cold Foods, and Hydration
Protein-rich foods can be a good choice if they sit well with your stomach. And if the smell of food cooking makes you feel sick, cold foods may be easier to handle because they usually have less of an odor.
Try to keep drinking, even on days when eating feels difficult. Small sips throughout the day may be easier to manage than a full glass at once. If you are unable to keep fluids down, reach out to your healthcare professional rather than trying to manage the nausea on your own.
Ginger and Acupressure
Ginger and P6 acupressure may also help with pregnancy nausea. They are simple options to try alongside the other things that may make you feel better, although they do not work for everyone.
If you are thinking about taking ginger in a concentrated supplement or herbal product, check with your healthcare professional first, especially if you are already taking other medicines or supplements during pregnancy.
When Vitamin B6 Is Not Enough
If vitamin B6 and the usual tips are not giving you enough relief, there are other treatments for pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Depending on your symptoms, you may need another medicine, a combination of treatments, or treatment for dehydration if you have not been able to keep enough fluids down.
If nausea is making it difficult to eat or drink, don't wait for it to become severe before getting help.
When Should You Contact a Healthcare Professional?
Signs of Dehydration or Poor Nutrition
If you are having trouble keeping fluids down, barely urinating, or feeling unusually dizzy or weak, let your doctor or midwife know. The same goes if nausea is making it difficult to eat enough during the day.
Frequent vomiting can lead to dehydration, changes in your electrolytes, and weight loss. If you are noticing these problems, your nausea may need more than home remedies.
Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Unlike typical morning sickness, it can have a much bigger effect on eating, drinking, weight, and everyday life.
You may need to speak with your doctor or midwife if you are vomiting repeatedly, cannot keep food or fluids down, are barely urinating, or are feeling very weak or dizzy. Significant weight loss can also be a sign that you need medical help.
If you think you may have HG, do not try to manage it with vitamin B6, food changes, or other home remedies alone. Your healthcare professional can help you get the fluids, medication, or other treatment you may need.
When Urgent Medical Care May Be Needed
Get medical help if you cannot keep fluids down, feel faint or confused, or are becoming badly dehydrated. Severe abdominal pain, blood in your vomit, or any other sudden or severe symptoms also need prompt attention.
Vitamin B6 can help with some pregnancy-related nausea, but it is not a substitute for medical care. If something feels seriously wrong or your symptoms are much worse than usual, get checked instead of trying to handle them with B6 alone.
Conclusion
Vitamin B6 can be a useful option for pregnancy-related nausea, especially when symptoms are mild to moderate. Some people may get enough relief from B6 alone, while others may need a combination of treatments or a different approach.
Before adding a separate B6 supplement, check your prenatal vitamin and other supplements to see how much you are already taking. If nausea is making it hard to eat, drink, sleep, or manage your day, talk with your doctor or midwife about options that can give you better relief.
Pregnancy nausea can be frustrating, but you do not have to simply push through it. The right approach depends on how severe your symptoms are and what is causing them.
Medical disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general education and does not replace personalized medical advice. If you are pregnant, talk with your OB-GYN, midwife, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any supplement or medication. If nausea or vomiting is severe, persistent, or making it difficult to eat or drink, seek medical care.
References
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B6 Fact Sheet for Consumers.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements and Life Stages: Pregnancy --- Health Professional Fact Sheet.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B6 --- Health Professional Fact Sheet.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.
- American Academy of Family Physicians. Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy.
- World Health Organization / NCBI Bookshelf. Treatments for Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Economic Assessment.
- Sahakian V, et al. Vitamin B6 is effective therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.
- Matthews A, et al. Interventions for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a network meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials.
