Biotin for metabolic disorders
This leaflet is for parents and carers about how to use this medicine in children. Our information may differ from that provided by the manufacturers, because their information usually relates to adults. Read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.
Name of medicine
Biotin (also known as vitamin H or vitamin B7)
This leaflet is about the use of biotin for metabolic disorders such as biotin deficiency and isolated carboxylase deficiency.
Why is it important for my child to take biotin?
Your child’s body needs biotin to break down the food that they eat and turn it into energy. All the cells in your child’s body need biotin so that your child can grow and develop properly. Your child does not have enough biotin and this may cause symptoms such as feeling weak, a rash, dry skin, losing their hair, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting).
It is important that they take biotin regularly, to replace their missing biotin. This should improve their symptoms and make sure they grow properly.
What is biotin available as?
Tablets: 5 mg
When should I give biotin
Biotin is usually given once each day. This is usually in the morning or evening.
Give the medicine at about the same times each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.
How much should I give?
Your doctor will work out the amount of biotin (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.
It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.
How should I give biotin?
Tablets
Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablets. You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or jam. Make sure your child swallows it all straight away.
When should the medicine start working?
It will take a few weeks for biotin to work properly, so you may not see much difference in your child’s symptoms to start with. It is important that you continue to give biotin as you have been told to by your doctor.
What if my child is sick (vomits)?
- If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of biotin, give them the same dose again.
- If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of biotin, do not give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.
If your child is sick again, seek advice from your family doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or hospital. They will decide what to do based on your child’s condition and the specific medicine involved.
What if I forget to give it?
Give the missed dose when you remember during the day, as long as this is at least 12 hours before the next dose of biotin is due.
You do not need to wake up a sleeping child to give a missed dose.
What if I give too much?
You are unlikely to cause harm if you give an extra dose of biotin by mistake. If you are concerned that you may have given too much, contact your doctor or local NHS services (details at end of leaflet). Have the medicine or packaging with you if you telephone for advice.
Are there any possible side effects?
We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).
Your child is unlikely to get any side-effects with biotin. If you notice anything unusual and are concerned, contact your doctor. You can report any suspected side-effects to a UK safety scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.
Can other medicines be given at the same time as biotin?
- You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal and complementary medicines.
General advice about medicines
- Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
- If you are not sure a medicine is working, contact your doctor but continue to give the medicine as usual in the meantime. Do not give extra doses, as you may do harm.
- Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
- If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor for advice.
- Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
- Make sure that the medicines you have at home have not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.
Where should I keep this medicine?
- Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight.
- It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
- Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
- Keep the medicine in the container it came in.
Who to contact for more information?
Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about biotin and about other medicines used to treat biotin deficiency and isolated carboxylase deficiency.
England: NHS 111
Tel 111
www.nhs.ukScotland: NHS 24
Tel 111
www.nhs24.scotNorthern Ireland: NI Direct
Wales: NHS 111 Wales
Tel 111
www.111.wales.nhs.ukMetabolic Support UK
0845 241 2173
www.metabolicsupportuk.orgCopyright disclaimer
Version [1]. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild, all rights reserved. Review by August 2016.
The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk.
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.