Biotin Supplyments

information for parents and carers
Biotin for metabolic disorders

This leaflet is about the use of biotin for metabolic disorders such
as biotin deficiency and isolated carboxylase deficiency.
This leaflet has been written for parents and carers about how
to use this medicine in children. Our information sometimes
differs from that provided by the manufacturers, because their
information is usually aimed at adult patients. Please read
this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can
read it again.
Name of drug
Biotin (also known as vitamin H or vitamin B7)
Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

Your childs body needs biotin to break down the food that
they eat and turn it into energy. All the cells in your childs
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 childs 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 doctors
instructions about how much to give.
How should I give it?

Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of
water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew
the tablet.
You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small
amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or
mashed potato.
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, you do not need to give them another
dose. Wait until the next normal dose.
If your child is sick again, seek advice from your GP,
pharmacist or hospital. They will decide what to do based on
your childs condition and the specific medicine involved.
What if I forget to give it?

Give the missed dose when you remember, as long as this
is at least 12 hours before the next dose 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 do harm if you give an extra dose of biotin
by mistake. If you think you may have given your child too
much biotin, contact your doctor or local NHS services (111 in
parts of England; 0845 4647 in parts of England and Wales;
08454 24 24 24 in Scotland).
Have the medicine container 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 dont 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?
General advice about medicines
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 childs symptoms to start with.
It is important that you continue to give biotin as you have
been told to by your doctor.
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 or
complementary 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 a doctor straight away.
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 medicine you have at home has
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 childs 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.
You can also get useful information from:
England
NHS 111: 111 - www.nhs.uk
NHS Direct: 0845 4647 - www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Scotland - NHS 24
08454 24 24 24
www.nhs24.com
Wales/Galw lechyd Cymru - NHS Direct
0845 4647
www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
Northern Ireland - NI Direct
www.nidirect.gov.uk
Climb (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)
0800 652 3181
www.climb.org.uk
www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
Version 1, August 2013. NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Reviewed 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.

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information for parents and carers

Biotin for metabolic disorders

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

What is biotin available as?

When should I give biotin?

How much should I give?

How should I give it?

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a

What if I forget to give it?

What if I give too much?

Are there any possible side-effects?

Can other medicines be given at the same time as

General advice about medicines

When should the medicine start working?

You can give your child medicines that contain

Try to give medicines at about the same times each day,

If you think someone else may have taken the medicine

Where should I keep this medicine?

Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and

Who to contact for more information

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