Vitamins & Supplements · Vitamin
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Pantothenic acid (water-soluble B vitamin) · also called Vitamin B5, pantothenate; pantethine is a related compound
Vitamin B5 is a B vitamin found in almost all foods. The body uses it to make coenzyme A, which helps break down and build fats and release energy. Real deficiency is very rare, and we found no trial showing that pills help well-fed people. Pantethine, a related compound, lowered LDL cholesterol a little in small trials. Large doses may cause diarrhea.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is needed by every cell and is in almost all foods, so deficiency is very rare. The firm facts are its role and its food sources. Pills have small or no proven benefit in well-fed people. Pantethine slightly lowered LDL cholesterol in small trials. Large doses may possibly cause diarrhea.
What it is
Pantothenic acid is vitamin B5, a water-soluble B vitamin. MedlinePlus says the body cannot store much of it and it has to be taken in regularly, while the body keeps a small reserve. A 2023 scoping review says it is a component of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein, and is widely found in animal and plant foods.
MedlinePlus says it is needed for growth, helps the body break down and use food, and is required for making fatty acids. It also plays a role in making hormones and cholesterol and is used in converting pyruvate.
We did not research the history of its discovery, so this page does not cover it.
Food sources
The NHS says pantothenic acid is found in varying amounts in almost all vegetables, wholegrain foods and meats. Good sources include chicken, beef, liver and kidneys (avoid liver if you are pregnant), eggs, mushrooms and avocado. Fortified breakfast cereals are also a good source.
MedlinePlus adds broccoli, kale and other cabbage-family vegetables, legumes and lentils, milk, white and sweet potatoes, whole-grain cereals and yeast. It says food processing can cause a significant loss.
We could not obtain amounts per portion: the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements page was blocked and the USDA database was rate-limited. Check the Nutrition Facts label on fortified products.
What the research shows
Role and deficiency: agency pages and a 2023 scoping review state its role and say deficiency is rare. No trial of B5 pills in well-fed people for any health result was found.
Cholesterol: two placebo-controlled trials of pantethine, a related compound, found small falls in LDL and total cholesterol (4 to 6 mg/dL in the larger trial). A third trial in 216 people with high triglycerides had no placebo group, so its pantethine result cannot be separated from other causes.
Acne: one 12-week trial of a branded pantothenic acid-based product found fewer lesions than placebo. It was small and has not been repeated.
Exercise: a trial in 8 men found no benefit. PKAN: an 84-person drug trial found no benefit.
Food versus supplements
The role and deficiency facts are about the vitamin in food. The cholesterol trials used pantethine capsules, which are a different compound, and the acne trial used a branded product. Food gives B5 together with other nutrients and does not provide pantethine in these amounts.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Eaten every day as part of ordinary food
- Long use as food is not proof that pills treat any condition
Studied for research
- Meeting the body's need and rare deficiency, high certainty for the role (agency statements)
- Blood cholesterol, low certainty (pantethine, not B5 itself)
- Acne, very low certainty (one small trial of a branded product)
- Exercise performance, very low certainty and no benefit found
- A rare brain disease (PKAN), evidence against (experimental drug)
- Energy, stress and hair claims, not enough evidence
Main compounds
- Pantothenic acid
- Coenzyme A (made in the body)
- Pantethine (a related supplement compound)
Common forms
- Food sources (chicken, beef, liver, eggs, mushrooms, avocado, fortified cereals)
- Pantothenic acid pills (not tested for most claims)
- Pantethine capsules (used in the cholesterol trials)
- Branded B5-based product (used in the acne trial)
Research links: 2011 trial: pantethine and cholesterol (120 people) · 2023 scoping review: pantothenic acid · MedlinePlus: pantothenic acid and biotin · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
- Common names
- Vitamin B5 (English); Pantothenic acid (English); Pantothenate (English); Pantethine (a related compound) (English)
- Family or group
- B vitamins (water-soluble)
- Harvest and processing
- MedlinePlus says food processing can cause a significant loss of pantothenic acid.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Pantethine; Note: A derivative of B5 used in cholesterol trials; it is a different compound.; Name: Biotin (B7); Note: MedlinePlus covers it on the same page; a different vitamin.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pantothenic acid | B vitamin | Found in almost all plant and animal foods Amounts per portion were not obtained: the NIH ODS page was blocked and the USDA database was rate-limited. | Needed for growth and for making fatty acids; part of coenzyme A. 8 3 | Human data |
| Coenzyme A | coenzyme | Made in the body from B5 | Carries fatty-acid and energy chemistry in cells (per the Nordic scoping review). 3 | Human data |
| Pantethine | B5 derivative | Supplement compound, not a food nutrient | Lowered LDL cholesterol slightly in two small placebo-controlled trials. 5 2 | Human data |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein | Not specified in the sources read | Pantothenic acid is a component of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein. 3 | Human data |
| Fatty-acid and hormone/cholesterol making; pyruvate conversion | Not specified | MedlinePlus says it is required to make fatty acids, plays a role in making hormones and cholesterol, and is used in converting pyruvate. 8 | Human data |
| Muscle coenzyme A | Not specified | A week of pantothenic acid plus cysteine did not raise muscle coenzyme A in 8 men. 6 | Human data |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found in the sources read.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Used to build coenzyme A.
- Elimination
- MedlinePlus says water-soluble vitamins the body cannot use leave in the urine; the body keeps a small reserve.
- Bioavailability
- Not established for food versus pills in the sources read.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Food gives pantothenic acid together with many other nutrients. The cholesterol trials used pantethine and the acne trial used a branded product, so none of the benefit findings are for B5 as it occurs in food.
Nutritional composition
Food sources are from the NHS and MedlinePlus pages (read 2026-10-26). Amounts per portion could not be given because USDA and NIH ODS data were not available.
1 high certainty1 low certainty2 very low certainty1 not enough evidence1 evidence against
What was looked at
The 6 benefits and uses checked for Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Meeting the body's need (and rare deficiency)High certainty
- Blood cholesterol (pantethine, a B5 derivative)Low certainty
- Acne (a pantothenic acid-based product)Very low certainty
- Exercise and muscle fuel useVery low certainty
- Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN, experimental drug)Evidence against
- Energy, stress, hair and similar claimsNot enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
LDL cholesterolTotal cholesterolApolipoprotein BTriglyceridesFacial acne lesion countMuscle coenzyme A (CoASH)PKAN daily-living score (PKAN-ADL)
What is Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) good for?
The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Several of the trials used pantethine or a branded product, not plain pantothenic acid.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Meeting the body's need (and rare deficiency)
High certaintyPantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is needed to make coenzyme A, which the body uses to break down and build fats and to release energy. Almost all foods contain some, and true deficiency is very rare. We found no trial of B5 pills in well-fed people for any health result.
3 studiesFood and ordinary diet. Pills were not part of this evidence.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No supplement trial. Agency pages and a 2023 scoping review state the role and say deficiency is rare, with tingling in the feet as the sign MedlinePlus lists.
Results
A well-established nutritional role and a rare deficiency. This is about getting enough, not about extra pills giving extra benefit.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes: these are descriptive statements from agency pages and a review.
Why this rating
High for the nutrient's role and the rarity of deficiency (consistent agency and review statements). It does not mean extra supplements do anything for people who are already well fed.
Form and dose studied
Food and ordinary diet. Pills were not part of this evidence.
Who was studied
People in general; people who are very undernourished are the realistic group at risk.
Limits
Nordic intake data are limited and the scoping review did not rate trials. Tingling in the feet has many other causes, so it cannot be used to diagnose a B5 shortage.
Why researchers looked
Every cell needs coenzyme A, so researchers ask how much people take in and what happens when intake is very low.
Traditional use
Pantothenic acid is eaten every day as part of ordinary food. Long use as food is not proof that pills treat any condition.
Proposed mechanism Established
Pantothenic acid is a building block of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein, which carry fatty-acid and energy chemistry in cells (Nordic scoping review; MedlinePlus).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No harm signal from food intake. See the Safety tab for supplements.
Blood cholesterol (pantethine, a B5 derivative)
Low certaintyPantethine is a related compound made from B5. In two small placebo-controlled trials it lowered LDL cholesterol a little. The one larger trial found falls of about 4 to 6 mg/dL. This is evidence for pantethine, not for ordinary pantothenic acid pills.
3 studiesPantethine capsules in the trials. Not pantothenic acid itself. Food …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 120-person trial (16 weeks, placebo and diet controlled) and a 32-person trial from the same group, both in adults at low to moderate cardiovascular risk. A third trial in 216 Chinese adults with high triglycerides had no placebo group.
Results
Small, consistent falls in LDL and total cholesterol with pantethine versus placebo. The size was small (4 to 6 mg/dL in the larger trial) and these are blood markers, not heart attacks.
Effect sizes as reported
120-person trial: total cholesterol -6 mg/dL, LDL -4 mg/dL, apoB -4 mg/dL versus placebo. 32-person trial: LDL about -11% from baseline versus +3% on placebo. Active-comparison trial: triglycerides -16.5% from baseline at 8 weeks with pantethine, no placebo.
Why this rating
Low. Two placebo-controlled trials from one research group, small effects, blood markers only, funding not clear in the abstracts, and a third trial without a placebo. Pantethine is not the same as pantothenic acid.
Form and dose studied
Pantethine capsules in the trials. Not pantothenic acid itself. Food sources do not give pantethine in these amounts.
Who was studied
Adults at low to moderate cardiovascular risk; adults with high triglycerides (China).
Limits
Same research group, small effects, short trials, no long-term heart outcomes. The trials do not test pantothenic acid.
Why researchers looked
Older work in Italy and Japan suggested pantethine lowers blood fats, so North American trials tested it in people at low to moderate heart risk.
Traditional use
Pantothenic acid is eaten every day as part of ordinary food. Long use as food is not proof that pills treat any condition.
Proposed mechanism Hypothesis
Not tested in the trials read. The authors do not show how it works.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No serious problem was reported in the abstracts read; the 2011 trial calls it safe. If you take cholesterol medicine, ask your doctor before adding anything.
Acne (a pantothenic acid-based product)
Very low certaintyOne 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 48 adults with mild to moderate facial acne found fewer spots with a pantothenic acid-based product. It was a branded product, small and not repeated.
1 studiesA branded 'pantothenic acid-based dietary supplement', not plain B5 a…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with mild to moderate acne; 41 of 48 were analysed.
Results
Total lesion count fell more than with placebo at week 12 (P=0.0197), with fewer inflamed spots and better quality-of-life scores. No safety problems were noted.
Effect sizes as reported
Total lesion count lower than placebo at week 12 (P=0.0197).
Why this rating
Very low. One small trial of a branded product (the abstract does not list every ingredient), not repeated by others, funding unclear.
Form and dose studied
A branded 'pantothenic acid-based dietary supplement', not plain B5 as sold in shops.
Who was studied
Adults with mild to moderate facial acne.
Limits
Small and short. It cannot say that pantothenic acid alone caused the change.
Why researchers looked
A theory from the 1990s linked acne to low B5 in skin cells; a trial then tested it.
Traditional use
Pantothenic acid is eaten every day as part of ordinary food. Long use as food is not proof that pills treat any condition.
Proposed mechanism Hypothesis
Not shown. The abstract does not test how it works.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The abstract reports blood counts and liver tests were checked and the product was well tolerated.
Exercise and muscle fuel use
Very low certaintyIn a small trial of 8 healthy young men, a week of pantothenic acid plus cysteine did not raise muscle coenzyme A, change fuel use or improve cycling work output.
1 studiesPantothenic acid with cysteine (not B5 alone).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A randomised, double-blind, crossover trial in 8 healthy men with muscle biopsies.
Results
No difference from placebo in muscle coenzyme A, fuel use or work output. This is evidence against a performance boost from this short course.
Effect sizes as reported
No difference from placebo.
Why this rating
Very low and against: a single tiny, short trial, with cysteine added. It still found no benefit.
Form and dose studied
Pantothenic acid with cysteine (not B5 alone).
Who was studied
Healthy young men.
Limits
Eight men and one week. It says nothing about long-term use, women or people who are deficient.
Why researchers looked
Because B5 builds coenzyme A, researchers asked whether more B5 would raise muscle coenzyme A and exercise output.
Traditional use
Pantothenic acid is eaten every day as part of ordinary food. Long use as food is not proof that pills treat any condition.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory analysis
The trial tested the idea and did not find the expected change in muscle coenzyme A.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific.
Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN, experimental drug)
Evidence againstPKAN is a rare inherited brain disease. A 24-week trial of fosmetpantotenate, an experimental drug, did not improve daily function compared with placebo. It is not a trial of the vitamin sold in shops.
1 studiesExperimental drug only; not a vitamin product.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial in 84 people aged 6 to 65.
Results
Difference in the daily-living score versus placebo was -0.09 points (95% CI -1.69 to 1.51; P=0.9115). Serious side effects were similar between groups.
Effect sizes as reported
Difference -0.09 (95% CI -1.69 to 1.51) versus placebo.
Why this rating
Against: a well-run randomised trial found no benefit. It is about an experimental drug in a rare disease, not about vitamin B5.
Form and dose studied
Experimental drug only; not a vitamin product.
Who was studied
People with PKAN (rare).
Limits
Rare disease, 24 weeks, drug not available as a supplement.
Why researchers looked
PKAN is caused by a fault in an enzyme that handles pantothenate, so researchers tried an experimental drug aimed at that step.
Traditional use
Pantothenic acid is eaten every day as part of ordinary food. Long use as food is not proof that pills treat any condition.
Proposed mechanism Human clinical
Not shown to work: the trial found no difference from placebo.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The trial reported the drug was safe, with similar serious side effects to placebo.
Energy, stress, hair and similar claims
Not enough evidencePills are sold for energy, stress, hair and skin. We found no trial of B5 in well-fed people showing any of these. A normal role in the body is not proof that extra pills add benefit.
2 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Not shown. The NHS says you should be able to get all the pantothenic acid you need from a varied diet.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers.
Why this rating
Insufficient: no human trial found for these uses.
Limits
Absence of trials is not proof of no effect.
Why researchers looked
B5 is needed for energy chemistry, so it is often marketed for energy and stress.
Traditional use
Pantothenic acid is eaten every day as part of ordinary food. Long use as food is not proof that pills treat any condition.
Proposed mechanism Hypothesis
Plausible from its role in coenzyme A, but not tested by the trials read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific.
Connections to the rest of health
How Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Vitality | High certainty | Meeting the body's need (and rare deficiency): Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is needed to make coenzyme A, which the body uses to break down and build fats and to release energy. Almost all foods contain some, and true deficiency is very rare. We found no trial of B5 pills in well-fed people for any health result. | 8 9 3 | |
| Cholesterol Balance | Low certainty | Blood cholesterol (pantethine, a B5 derivative): Pantethine is a related compound made from B5. In two small placebo-controlled trials it lowered LDL cholesterol a little. The one larger trial found falls of about 4 to 6 mg/dL. This is evidence for pantethine, not for ordinary pantothenic acid pills. | 5 2 1 | |
| Healthy Skin | Very low certainty | Acne (a pantothenic acid-based product): One 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 48 adults with mild to moderate facial acne found fewer spots with a pantothenic acid-based product. It was a branded product, small and not repeated. | 7 | |
| Physical Stamina | Very low certainty | Exercise and muscle fuel use: In a small trial of 8 healthy young men, a week of pantothenic acid plus cysteine did not raise muscle coenzyme A, change fuel use or improve cycling work output. | 6 | |
| Brain Health | Evidence against | Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN, experimental drug): PKAN is a rare inherited brain disease. A 24-week trial of fosmetpantotenate, an experimental drug, did not improve daily function compared with placebo. It is not a trial of the vitamin sold in shops. | 4 | |
| Energy Boost | Not enough evidence | Energy, stress, hair and similar claims: Pills are sold for energy, stress, hair and skin. We found no trial of B5 in well-fed people showing any of these. A normal role in the body is not proof that extra pills add benefit. | 9 8 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabolism Weight | Biological association | High certainty | Studied for: Meeting the body's need (and rare deficiency) Studied for: Exercise and muscle fuel use | 8 9 3 6 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Blood cholesterol (pantethine, a B5 derivative) | 5 2 1 |
| Integumentary System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Acne (a pantothenic acid-based product) | 7 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Evidence against | Studied for: Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN, experimental drug) | 4 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paresthesia (tingling) | Deficiency link | MedlinePlus lists tingling in the feet as the sign of a very rare B5 shortage; it has many other causes. Preparation or compound: Pantothenic acid deficiency |
8 | |
| Diarrhea | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | MedlinePlus says large doses may possibly cause diarrhea. Preparation or compound: Large doses of pantothenic acid |
8 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 2 |
| Total cholesterol | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 2 |
| Apolipoprotein B | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
| Triglycerides | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Facial acne lesion count | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 7 |
| Muscle coenzyme A (CoASH) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: unchanged. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 6 |
| PKAN daily-living score (PKAN-ADL) | Biological association | High certainty | Measured in trials: unchanged. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 4 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biotin (vitamin B7) | Preliminary mechanism | Human | MedlinePlus covers B5 and biotin together; both are needed for growth, metabolism and making fatty acids. | 8 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pantothenic acid | Biological association | Human | Needed for growth and for making fatty acids; part of coenzyme A. Preparation or compound: Found in almost all plant and animal foods |
8 3 |
| Coenzyme A | Biological association | Human | Carries fatty-acid and energy chemistry in cells (per the Nordic scoping review). Preparation or compound: Made in the body from B5 |
3 |
| Pantethine | Biological association | Human | Lowered LDL cholesterol slightly in two small placebo-controlled trials. Preparation or compound: Supplement compound, not a food nutrient |
5 2 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
The evidence
The research centre for Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing vitamin B5 summary, re-read the MedlinePlus and NHS pages and read PubMed abstracts for trials and a review. Only abstracts were read for studies. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
Study library: every study we checked 10
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chen 2015 Efficacy and tolerability of coenzyme A vs pantethine for the treatment of patients with hyperlipidemia: A randomized, double-blind, multicenter study. J Clin Lipidol · PMID 26350816 · DOI |
Randomized trial |
216 216 Chinese adults with moderate dyslipidemia (high triglycerides) |
Coenzyme A capsules versus pantethine Oral supplement Pantethine 600 U a day (units as given in the abstract) 8 weeks · vs Coenzyme A (400 U a day); no placebo group |
Triglycerides fell 17.4% at 4 weeks and 16.5% at 8 weeks with pantethine. Coenzyme A did better (33.3% at 8 weeks). There was no placebo, so the pantethine fall cannot be separated from other causes. No differences in liver, kidney or gut side effects between the two. Pantethine triglycerides -16.5% at 8 weeks from baseline (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Triglycerides, cholesterol, liver, kidney and blood tests Limitations: No placebo arm. The trial was designed to test coenzyme A, not pantethine. Pantethine, not pantothenic acid. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Evans 2014 Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in low to moderate cardiovascular risk subjects eligible for statin therapy: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation. Vasc Health Risk Manag · PMID 24600231 · DOI |
Randomized trial |
32 32 adults at low to moderate cardiovascular risk who were eligible for statin treatment |
Pantethine (a B5 derivative, not pantothenic acid itself) Oral supplement 600 mg a day for 8 weeks, then 900 mg a day for 8 weeks (as studied in the trial) 16 weeks · vs Placebo |
Against placebo, total cholesterol was lower at 16 weeks (P=0.040) and LDL cholesterol at 8 and 16 weeks (P=0.020, P=0.006). LDL fell about 11% from baseline on pantethine while it rose 3% on placebo. Homocysteine did not change. LDL about -11% from baseline versus +3% on placebo (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, homocysteine, coenzyme Q10 Limitations: Only 32 people. Same research group as the 2011 trial. Pantethine, not pantothenic acid. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Freese 2023 Pantothenic acid - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Food Nutr Res · PMID 38187802 · DOI |
Scoping review n/a |
Literature on pantothenic acid and health in Nordic and Baltic countries since 2012 | Pantothenic acid intake |
Says pantothenic acid is a component of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein, is widely found in animal and plant foods, deficiency is rare and toxicity negligible. Intake data in the Nordic countries are limited and no health concerns were identified. No numbers (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Intakes, deficiency, toxicity, health concerns Limitations: A scoping review for one region; it did not rate trials. Reference values were not set in the Nordic recommendations. Funding and conflicts: The authors report no funding from industry or elsewhere. Read: abstract |
| Klopstock 2021 Fosmetpantotenate Randomized Controlled Trial in Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration. Mov Disord · PMID 33200489 · DOI |
Randomized trial |
84 84 people aged 6 to 65 with PKAN, a rare inherited brain disease with a faulty PANK2 gene |
Fosmetpantotenate (an experimental drug, not the vitamin as sold) Experimental drug 300 mg three times a day (as studied in the trial) 24 weeks · vs Placebo (41 drug, 43 placebo) |
The drug did not improve daily function compared with placebo (difference -0.09, 95% CI -1.69 to 1.51; P=0.9115). Serious side effects were similar (19.5% versus 14.0%). Difference versus placebo -0.09 points (95% CI -1.69 to 1.51) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: PKAN daily-living score Limitations: A rare disease, an experimental drug. It says nothing about the vitamin in healthy people. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Rumberger 2011 Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B(5) used as a nutritional supplement, favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in low- to moderate-cardiovascular risk North American subjects: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation. Nutr Res · PMID 21925346 · DOI |
Randomized trial |
120 120 North American adults at low to moderate cardiovascular risk, on a lifestyle-change diet |
Pantethine (a B5 derivative, not pantothenic acid itself) Oral supplement 600 mg a day for 8 weeks, then 900 mg a day for 8 weeks (as studied in the trial) 16 weeks · vs Identically labelled placebo, 60 per group |
Compared with placebo, pantethine gave sustained falls in total cholesterol (6 mg/dL, 3%), LDL cholesterol (4 mg/dL, 4%) and apolipoprotein B (4 mg/dL, 5%). The authors call the size small. Total cholesterol -6 mg/dL, LDL -4 mg/dL, apoB -4 mg/dL versus placebo (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, safety Limitations: Small changes. Pantethine, not pantothenic acid. Healthy-risk volunteers on a diet plan. The authors' claim that each 1 mg/dL of LDL equals 1% of future risk is their argument, not a trial result. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract; the author list includes people working with the product maker (not confirmed from the abstract). Read: abstract |
| Wall 2012 Acute pantothenic acid and cysteine supplementation does not affect muscle coenzyme A content, fuel selection, or exercise performance in healthy humans. J Appl Physiol (1985) · PMID 22052867 · DOI |
Randomized trial |
8 8 healthy young men |
D-pantothenic acid plus L-cysteine Oral supplement 1.5 g a day of each for 1 week (as studied in the trial) 1 week before each exercise test · vs Glucose-polymer placebo |
Resting muscle coenzyme A did not change, fuel use during exercise was similar, and work output did not differ from placebo. No difference from placebo (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Muscle coenzyme A, fuel use during cycling, work output Limitations: Eight men, one short course, with cysteine added. Says nothing about long-term use or about people who are deficient. Funding and conflicts: No funding statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2014 A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel pantothenic Acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) · PMID 24831048 · DOI |
Randomized trial |
48 48 adults with mild to moderate facial acne (41 could be analysed) |
A pantothenic acid-based dietary supplement (a product; the abstract does not list every ingredient) Branded supplement product Not given in the abstract 12 weeks · vs Placebo |
Total lesion count fell more with the product than with placebo at week 12 (P=0.0197). Inflammatory lesions and the quality-of-life score also improved more. The product was well tolerated, with blood counts and liver tests checked. Total lesion count lower than placebo at week 12 (P=0.0197) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Total facial lesion count, inflammatory lesions, quality-of-life score, blood counts and liver tests Limitations: Small, short, 7 of 48 dropped out of the analysis. A branded product, so the effect cannot be put down to pantothenic acid alone. The authors say more trials are needed. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract; a product-maker link is possible and was not checked. Read: abstract |
| s-medlineplus-b5-biotin MedlinePlus: Pantothenic acid and biotin · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-nhs-vitamin-b NHS: B vitamins and folic acid (pantothenic acid section) · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-ods-b5 NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Pantothenic Acid fact sheet for health professionals · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: not-read |
What we do not know yet
- No trial of B5 pills in well-fed people showed a health benefit, and none was found for energy, stress or hair claims.
- The cholesterol findings are for pantethine from one research group; plain pantothenic acid was not tested.
- The acne finding is from one small trial of a branded product.
- The NIH ODS fact sheet could not be read (HTTP 403), so interactions, upper limits and amounts in foods were not checked there.
- Amounts per portion (USDA), history, absorption, children's and breastfeeding supplement safety and product quality were not researched.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 3
LDL cholesterol
Lowered in trials
The cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins. Higher levels are linked to heart disease.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The usual blood marker for heart-disease risk.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Small falls with pantethine in two placebo-controlled trials.
Safety implication
None specific. Not shown to lower the risk of a heart attack.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | LDL cholesterol 4 mg/dL (4%) lower than placebo at 16 weeks | 120 adults at low to moderate cardiovascular risk | Pantethine for 16 weeks |
| 2 | LDL about 11% lower than baseline at weeks 8 and 16 on pantethine; placebo rose about 3% at week 16 | 32 adults eligible for statin treatment | Pantethine for 16 weeks |
Total cholesterol
Lowered in trials
All the cholesterol in the blood.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Triglycerides
Lowered in trials
Fats carried in the blood.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
High triglycerides are part of a poor blood-fat profile.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Not placebo-controlled, so it cannot be separated from other causes.
Safety implication
No problems with liver, kidney or gut tests in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fell 17.4% at 4 weeks and 16.5% at 8 weeks from baseline on pantethine (no placebo group) | 216 Chinese adults with moderate dyslipidemia (about half got pantethine) | Pantethine for 8 weeks |
Other 4
Apolipoprotein B
Lowered in trials
A protein on the particles that carry LDL cholesterol; a count of those particles.
Low certaintyFacial acne lesion count
Lowered in trials
A count of the spots on the face seen by a clinician.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The main outcome of the acne trial.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One small trial of a branded product.
Safety implication
Blood counts and liver tests were checked and the product was well tolerated.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Total lesion count lower than placebo at week 12 (P=0.0197) | 41 evaluable adults with mild to moderate acne | A pantothenic acid-based product for 12 weeks |
Muscle coenzyme A (CoASH)
Unchanged in trials
The free form of coenzyme A in muscle, measured by biopsy.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The trial asked whether B5 raises muscle coenzyme A.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
No change was found.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Resting muscle coenzyme A did not change after supplementation; work output did not differ from placebo | 8 healthy young men | Pantothenic acid and cysteine for 1 week |
PKAN daily-living score (PKAN-ADL)
Unchanged in trials
A rating of how well a person with PKAN manages daily tasks.
High certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The main outcome of the PKAN trial.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A clear null result in a randomised trial.
Safety implication
Serious side effects 19.5% versus 14.0% on placebo.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Difference versus placebo -0.09 (95% CI -1.69 to 1.51) at week 24 | 84 people with PKAN | Fosmetpantotenate for 24 weeks |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Very safe at food levels; large doses may cause diarrhea. MedlinePlus says large doses of pantothenic acid do not cause symptoms other than possibly diarrhea. The NHS says there is not enough evidence to know the effects of high daily doses of supplements. A 2023 scoping review found no health concerns. Authoritative guidance 8 9 3
- Pantethine, pantothenic acid and other 'B5' products are different. The cholesterol trials used pantethine and the acne trial used a branded product. Safety facts for plain pantothenic acid should not be assumed for them. Check the label with a pharmacist. Expert assessment 5 7
- Liver is a good food source but is advised against in pregnancy. The NHS lists liver and kidneys as good sources of pantothenic acid and says to avoid liver if you are pregnant. Authoritative guidance 9
Side effects 2
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea (possible) with large doses MedlinePlus: large doses cause no symptoms other than possibly diarrhea. | No frequency found. | mild Not described in the sources read. | Authoritative guidance 8 |
| No serious side effect noted in the trials read Short trials, not safety studies. The PKAN drug is not the vitamin. | The cholesterol and acne trials describe the products as safe or well tolerated; serious side effects in the PKAN drug trial were 19.5% versus 14.0% on placebo. | not applicable Not applicable | Controlled trial 5 7 4 |
Liver
No liver injury from pantothenic acid was found in the sources read. The acne trial measured liver tests and reported the product was well tolerated. LiverTox was not searched. 7
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 3
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any prescription medicine prescription | No mechanism or case was found in the sources read. | No interaction was reported by MedlinePlus or the NHS. The NIH ODS page, which usually lists interactions, was blocked (403) and could not be read. | No evidence found Not enough evidence 10 | Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every supplement you take. |
| Cholesterol-lowering medicines (for example statins) and pantethine prescription | Not studied in the trials read; the 32-person trial enrolled people eligible for statins, not people taking them. | Unknown. Whether pantethine adds to or changes the effect of such medicines was not found. | No evidence found Not enough evidence 2 | Ask your doctor before adding pantethine to cholesterol medicine. |
| Other B vitamins or multivitamins supplement | Not described in the sources read. | No problem found. MedlinePlus covers pantothenic acid together with biotin as vitamins that work together; it does not describe an interaction. | Authoritative guidance Not enough evidence 8 | Read the labels of combination products. |
Who should check first 2
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Allergy or reaction to a B5-containing product | Stop and ask a doctor or pharmacist. This is a general precaution; no source read describes a pantothenic acid allergy. | Expert assessment 9 |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | The US Adequate Intake is higher in pregnancy and breastfeeding (6 mg and 7 mg a day, per MedlinePlus). No source read tested B5 pills in pregnancy; ask your midwife or doctor before supplements. The NHS advises avoiding liver in pregnancy. | Authoritative guidance 8 9 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. Toxicity is described as negligible by a 2023 scoping review. MedlinePlus says large doses do not cause symptoms except possibly diarrhea.
Animal. Not reviewed.
Human doses studied. Trials read gave pantothenic acid or pantethine for up to 16 weeks without serious problems reported in the abstracts; this is not a safety guarantee.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
Product quality (label accuracy, contaminants) for pantothenic acid or pantethine supplements was not researched beyond the sources read.
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) (United States) | Large doses of pantothenic acid do not cause symptoms other than possibly diarrhea. US Adequate Intake: 5 mg a day from age 14, 6 mg in pregnancy, 7 mg when breastfeeding (set by the Food and Nutrition Board). source | 2025-01-21 |
| NHS (UK) (United Kingdom) | No UK amount set for how much pantothenic acid you need. Not enough evidence on high daily doses. Taking 200 mg or less a day in supplements is unlikely to cause harm. source | 2020-08-03 |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, face or throat, or widespread hives after any supplement: call 911 or your local emergency number. This is a general precaution, not a B5-specific finding.
- Tingling in the feet that does not go away: see a doctor. MedlinePlus lists it as a rare sign of B5 shortage, but it has many other causes.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is vitamin B5?
What foods contain vitamin B5?
Is vitamin B5 deficiency common?
Does vitamin B5 lower cholesterol?
Is pantethine the same as pantothenic acid?
Does vitamin B5 help acne?
One 12-week trial of a branded pantothenic acid-based product in 48 adults found fewer spots than placebo (P=0.0197). It was small, has not been repeated and cannot be put down to plain B5.
Does vitamin B5 give you energy?
Can vitamin B5 cause side effects?
Is vitamin B5 safe in pregnancy?
Does vitamin B5 interact with medicines?
Can I get enough vitamin B5 from food?
What about the experimental drug for PKAN?
Fosmetpantotenate is an experimental drug for a rare brain disease called PKAN. In an 84-person trial it did not improve daily function versus placebo. It is not the vitamin sold in shops.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing vitamin B5 summary, re-read the MedlinePlus and NHS pages and read PubMed abstracts for trials and a review. Only abstracts were read for studies. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Funding is not stated in the abstracts of the pantethine and acne trials; this is flagged where each is used.
Sources 10
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Chen YQ, Zhao SP, Zhao YH. Efficacy and tolerability of coenzyme A vs pantethine for the treatment of patients with hyperlipidemia: A randomized, double-blind, multicenter study.. J Clin Lipidol. 2015. PMID 26350816. DOI 10.1016/j.jacl.2015.07.003. (abstract)
- Evans M, Rumberger JA, Azumano I, Napolitano JJ, Citrolo D, Kamiya T. Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, favorably alters total, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in low to moderate cardiovascular risk subjects eligible for statin therapy: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation.. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2014. PMID 24600231. DOI 10.2147/VHRM.S57116. (abstract)
- Freese R, Aarsland TE, Bjorkevoll M. Pantothenic acid - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.. Food Nutr Res. 2023. PMID 38187802. DOI 10.29219/fnr.v67.10255. (abstract)
- Klopstock T, Videnovic A, Bischoff AT, Bonnet C, Cif L, Comella C, et al.. Fosmetpantotenate Randomized Controlled Trial in Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration.. Mov Disord. 2021. PMID 33200489. DOI 10.1002/mds.28392. (abstract)
- Rumberger JA, Napolitano J, Azumano I, Kamiya T, Evans M. Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B(5) used as a nutritional supplement, favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in low- to moderate-cardiovascular risk North American subjects: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation.. Nutr Res. 2011. PMID 21925346. DOI 10.1016/j.nutres.2011.08.001. (abstract)
- Wall BT, Stephens FB, Marimuthu K, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Macdonald IA, Greenhaff PL. Acute pantothenic acid and cysteine supplementation does not affect muscle coenzyme A content, fuel selection, or exercise performance in healthy humans.. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2012. PMID 22052867. DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.00807.2011. (abstract)
- Yang M, Moclair B, Hatcher V, Kaminetsky J, Mekas M, Chapas A, et al.. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a novel pantothenic Acid-based dietary supplement in subjects with mild to moderate facial acne.. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2014. PMID 24831048. DOI 10.1007/s13555-014-0052-3. (abstract)
- . MedlinePlus: Pantothenic acid and biotin. . . (full-text)
- . NHS: B vitamins and folic acid (pantothenic acid section). . . (full-text)
- . NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Pantothenic Acid fact sheet for health professionals. . . (not-read)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- The amount of the active ingredient per serving, not just the front-label claim
- A third-party testing mark (USP, NSF or ConsumerLab)
- Other ingredients and allergens
- Ask a pharmacist about interactions with your medicines
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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