Drug reference

biotin

Water-soluble vitamin (vitamin B7) · Vitamin supplement

START

Supplement 30 mcg–10 mg/day; inherited disorder 5–20 mg/day

TYPICAL MAX

No defined toxic ceiling (disorder-specific high dose)

STOP IF

Suspected assay interference before critical testing (hold ≥72 h)

WATCH

Flag biotin use to the lab (immunoassay interference)

CDSCO approvedATC A11HA05

Dose laddermg/d

Renal dose adjustmenteGFR mL/min/1.73m²

KDIGO 2024 + manufacturer label

Pharmacokineticsplasma · t hours

ONSET: 30min · absorption
PEAK: 1.5h · Tmax
t½: 2h · t½ (approx)
DURATION: 1d · daily dosing

EXCRETION

Renal — unchanged and metabolites

route + CYP

INTERACTIONS

1 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

Safe at recommended intakes; common in pregnancy supplements.

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 6 →

AvidinSevereTextbookKDT 7e · p916

Mechanism

Essential cofactor for carboxylase enzymes (pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylases) in gluconeogenesis, fatty-acid synthesis and amino-acid catabolism.

Indications

Biotin deficiencyBiotinidase deficiency / holocarboxylase synthetase deficiencyBiotin-thiamine-responsive basal ganglia disease (high dose)Supplementation (hair/nail — limited evidence)

Dosing

Adult: Deficiency/supplement: 30 mcg–10 mg/day. Biotinidase deficiency: 5–20 mg/day. BTBGD: 5–10 mg/kg/day (high-dose, specialist).
Pediatric: Inherited disorders: 5–20 mg/day (specialist).
Renal adjustment: No adjustment (water-soluble vitamin).
Hepatic adjustment: No adjustment.
Geriatric: No specific adjustment.
Max dose: No defined toxic ceiling; high-dose only for specific disorders

Pharmacokinetics

Onset

Biochemical correction over days–weeks

Peak effect

~1–2 h (plasma Tmax)

Duration

Dosing-dependent

Half-life

Short (renally cleared); not clinically tracked

Bioavailability

High (well absorbed)

Protein binding

Partly protein-bound

Metabolism

Minimal; partly recycled

Excretion

Renal (unchanged and metabolites)

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity (rare)

Side effects

Common

Generally well toleratedRare GI upset

Serious

Clinically significant interference with biotinylated immunoassays (false lab results — including troponin, thyroid, hormone assays)

Pregnancy & lactation

Pregnancy

Safe at recommended intakes; common in pregnancy supplements.

Lactation

Compatible with breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

Avidin

Severe

Textbook

Prevents the absorption of biotin, potentially leading to biotin deficiency symptoms.

Avoid consumption of raw egg white, or ensure adequate biotin supplementation in individuals whose diet includes significant amounts of raw egg white.

Source: KDT 7e · p916

Biotinylated Immunoassays

Moderate

Database

Streptavidin-biotin assay interference

Hold biotin ≥72 h before testing; inform lab

Source: Kimi deep-research + Cla

Alcohol

Mild

Database

Impaired absorption

Address alcohol use