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Overview: Pantethine is a form of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Your body needs both pantethine and vitamin B5 to function properly. Pantethine supplements are sometimes used to lower cholesterol levels and improve overall health, but their benefits for most uses are not well defined. Common side effects may include heartburn, diarrhea, itching, or an upset stomach. Before taking pantethine, tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines or supplements you may be using.

Uses

What is pantethine used for?

Pantethine is used to improve overall health and lower cholesterol levels, but its benefits for most uses are not well defined.

Pantethine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed pantethine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does pantethine work (mechanism of action)?

Pantethine is a natural substance that is related to vitamin B5. Your body, which needs both pantethine and vitamin B5 to function correctly, can turn pantethine into vitamin B5 and vice versa.

The natural form of vitamin B5, called pantothenic acid, is found in many foods, including meat, eggs, vegetables, mushrooms, and fortified grains. Most people in the United States get enough vitamin B5 from their diet. Your body can also use pantethine as a source of vitamin B5.

Pantethine has other important functions in the body as well. Your body can use pantethine to help increase the levels of a substance in the liver called coenzyme A (CoA). In fact, some supplements that contain pantethine refer to it as a “CoA precursor.”

CoA plays an important role in the way your body processes the nutrients in your diet. Higher levels of CoA can also help lower the levels of bad cholesterol (lipids) in your blood. But it is not clear whether pantethine can lower cholesterol levels by a meaningful amount. The available research shows that pantethine supplements do not work as well as common prescription medicines used to treat high cholesterol.

How should I store pantethine?

You should store pantethine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of pantethine?

The most common side effects of pantethine are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn
  • Itching
  • Upset stomach

There may be side effects of pantethine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of pantethine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of pantethine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Pantethine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking pantethine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin calledhives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use pantethine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take pantethine.

  • Pantethine
  • Pantothenate
  • Pantothenic acid
  • Vitamin B5
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific pantethine products they stock.

What should I know about pantethine before using it?

Pantethine is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep pantethine out of the reach of children.

The FDA has not tested pantethine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using pantethine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems

Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN). People with this rare condition have trouble using vitamin B5 to make an important substance called CoA, which the body needs to function properly. Talk to your health care provider about how to manage this condition.

Pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take pantethine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Your body makes vitamin B5 from pantethine. Vitamin B5 passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take pantethine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does pantethine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between pantethine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect pantethine.

Does pantethine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between pantethine and medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between pantethine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with pantethine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking pantethine with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much pantethine?

If you or someone else has used too much pantethine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to take pantethine safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.