What Is Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)?
Riboflavin is the scientific name for a vitamin and dietary supplement commonly known as vitamin B2.
Doctors may prescribe riboflavin in higher doses to help treat migraines and cancer in certain cases.
Riboflavin plays an important role in helping the body to break down the nutrients in food.
It helps the body convert complex carbohydrates, fats, and protein into forms that the body can use.
Riboflavin also helps maintain your adrenal gland, which responds to stress and helps maintain proper functioning of the nervous system.
Riboflavin deficiency is uncommon, because the vitamin is found in many readily available foods.
Low levels of riboflavin can cause the skin around your nose, and on a man's scrotum, to peel.
Your eyes may become red and itchy, and you may find sores inside your mouth, along with a swollen tongue and thickened lining of the mouth.
Some people with riboflavin deficiency may notice that their eyes seem more sensitive to light. Other people may become anemic (low in red blood cells or hemoglobin).
Many foods commonly eaten in the United States contain vitamin B2, such as eggs, bread, flour, meat, milk, and cheese.
Leafy green vegetables, almonds, and beef liver are also good sources of vitamin B2.
Some experts believe that riboflavin deficiency is the underlying cause of certain diseases and disorders of the body, like migraines.
According to a 1994 Belgian study of 55 migraine sufferers, 59 percent of the participants who took 400 milligrams (mg) of riboflavin a day reported having fewer migraines.
Don't take riboflavin if you're allergic to it or any other ingredients found in the drug.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rates riboflavin as completely safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, when taken in the dose recommended for your age and condition.
Any higher-than-recommended dose could have unknown effects on a pregnant woman's unborn baby.
Pregnant women shouldn't take more than 1.4 mg of riboflavin a day, and the recommended daily intake for breastfeeding women is 1.6 mg.
It's always a good idea to talk to your doctor about all of your medications if you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Most people tend to tolerate riboflavin very well.
You might notice your urine taking on a bright yellow color.
No serious side effects have been reported with the use of riboflavin.
However, that doesn't mean serious side effects are impossible.
Tell your doctor(s) and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or vitamin-containing drugs and supplements you're taking.
Riboflavin doesn't really interact with any drugs, but you might want to ask your doctor, naturopathic doctor, or pharmacist about riboflavin if you're taking the herbal supplement goldenseal.
Alcohol reduces the absorption of many nutrients in the body, including B vitamins like riboflavin.
In fact, some people who are hospitalized for severe side effects of alcoholism are treated with nutritional supplements.
For best results, try to avoid alcohol while taking riboflavin, or if you're concerned about riboflavin deficiency for some reason.
Scientists aren't sure whether the liver breaks down riboflavin the same way as certain chemicals found in grapefruit, so the two substances may interact.
Consider avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking riboflavin supplements to prevent any potential interactions.
Riboflavin comes in tablets of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. It's also commonly found in combination with many other vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements, including multivitamins, energy supplements, and vitamin B-complex supplements.
Your doctor may prescribe a dose of 400 mg to help prevent migraine headaches.
Some doctors may prescribe riboflavin for cataracts in a dose of either 2.6 mg or 3 mg, taken in combination with 40 mg of niacin.
Riboflavin works best when taken with food.
Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin, so the body tends to get rid of what it doesn't need. This makes an overdose difficult.
But if you suspect an overdose of riboflavin, contact an emergency room or poison control center right away.
You can reach a poison control center at 800-222-1222.
If you're taking riboflavin as a supplement, you shouldn't worry about missing a dose.
But if your doctor has prescribed riboflavin to treat a specific condition like migraines or cataracts, that's a different situation.
In those cases, if you miss a dose of riboflavin, take it as soon as you remember.
If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.