Vitamins
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Also called: pantothenic acid, pantethine
A B vitamin found in almost every food, used to make energy and fats.
- Why people take it
- Acne, cholesterol (pantethine), energy.
- What the evidence says
- Weak evidence for acne and small cholesterol effects with pantethine.
- How it is usually taken
- Usually 5 to 10 mg a day in B-complex products; higher doses are sold for acne with weak evidence. Found in almost all foods.
- Be careful
- Generally safe; high doses can cause diarrhoea.
- Medicines it can interact with
- No important medicine interactions are known, but tell your doctor and pharmacist about every supplement you take.
Other vitamins
Common questions
What is Vitamin B5?
A B vitamin found in almost every food, used to make energy and fats.
Why do people take Vitamin B5?
Acne, cholesterol (pantethine), energy.
Does Vitamin B5 work?
Weak evidence for acne and small cholesterol effects with pantethine.
How much Vitamin B5 do people take?
Usually 5 to 10 mg a day in B-complex products; higher doses are sold for acne with weak evidence. Found in almost all foods.
Is Vitamin B5 safe?
Generally safe; high doses can cause diarrhoea.
Does Vitamin B5 interact with medicines?
No important medicine interactions are known, but tell your doctor and pharmacist about every supplement you take.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.
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