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Pantothenic Acid

Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential water-soluble vitamin the body uses to make coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein. Coenzyme A is needed to release energy from food and to build fats, cholesterol, steroid hormones and several neurotransmitters. Almost all plant and animal foods contain some B5, a typical US diet supplies about 6 mg a day against an adequate intake of 5 mg, and deficiency is rare except in severe malnutrition. Supplements are sold for energy, but there is limited evidence that extra B5 raises energy in people who already get enough. For skin, one 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 41 adults with mild to moderate facial acne found fewer blemishes with a supplement supplying 2.2 g of B5 a day. A related compound, pantethine, has been studied for blood lipids at 600 to 900 mg a day; those results belong to pantethine, not plain B5. No upper limit has been set; very large doses can cause mild diarrhea.

Studied Dose Adequate intake 5 mg a day for adults (6 mg in pregnancy, 7 mg when breastfeeding). The skin trial used 2.2 g a day of a pantothenic acid-based supplement, taken as two tablets twice daily with food.
Active Compound Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), usually supplied as calcium pantothenate.
Deficiency information View details

Because some pantothenic acid is present in almost all foods, deficiency is rare except in people with severe malnutrition, and it usually comes with deficiencies of other nutrients. The only people known to have developed it were fed diets with virtually no B5 or given a drug that blocks it.

Common symptoms

  • Numbness and burning of the hands and feet
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability and restlessness
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Digestive upset with loss of appetite

At-risk groups

  • People with severe malnutrition, usually alongside other nutrient deficiencies
  • People with a PANK2 gene mutation (pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, a rare inherited disorder)
When to see a doctor: Because B5 deficiency is so rare, symptoms such as numbness, burning feet or fatigue usually have another cause, such as other nutrient deficiencies or nerve problems. A doctor can look for the actual cause.
Explore related deficiencies →
Sources: NIH ODS: Pantothenic Acid Health Professional Fact Sheet · Freese et al. 2023, Pantothenic acid scoping review (PubMed 38187802)

Benefits

Energy metabolism

Pantothenic acid is part of coenzyme A, which the body uses to turn carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. People fed diets with almost no B5 developed fatigue along with other symptoms, but there is limited evidence that extra B5 raises energy in people who already get enough from food, which most people do.

Supported by Trial 1

Clearer facial skin with a high-dose B5 supplement

In a 12-week randomized, double-blind trial, adults with mild to moderate facial acne who took a pantothenic acid-based supplement supplying 2.2 g of B5 a day had fewer total and inflammatory blemishes than those on placebo. Only 41 people completed it, most of them women, and the product maker sponsored the study.

Supported by Trial 1

Hormone and cholesterol building

Through coenzyme A, pantothenic acid is involved in making cholesterol, fatty acids and steroid hormones. This is basic biochemistry that applies to anyone eating a normal diet; no study cited here shows that extra B5 changes hormone or cholesterol levels.

Supported by Trial 1

Neurotransmitter production

Coenzyme A made from pantothenic acid takes part in the synthesis of several neurotransmitters. No trial cited here tested B5 supplements for memory, mood or nerve function in people.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Precursor to coenzyme A (CoA)

Pantothenic acid is converted into coenzyme A, which carries acetyl and acyl groups in enzyme reactions. As acetyl-CoA it feeds the citric acid cycle that produces ATP, and CoA is needed both to build and to break down fatty acids.

2

Acyl carrier protein

Pantothenic acid is also part of acyl carrier protein, whose main role is fatty acid synthesis.

3

Hormone and cholesterol synthesis

CoA is required to make cholesterol and the steroid hormones built from it.

4

Neurotransmitter production

Through CoA, pantothenic acid takes part in the synthesis of several neurotransmitters.

Clinical trials

1
Pantothenic Acid-Based Supplement for Facial Blemishes (12-Week Trial)
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a pantothenic acid-based supplement (Pantothen) supplying 2.2 g of pantothenic acid a day, taken as two tablets twice daily with food for 12 weeks. Sponsored by the product's marketer. (Yang et al. 2014, Dermatol Ther (Heidelb))

48 adults with mild to moderate facial acne enrolled and 41 were evaluable (20 supplement, 21 placebo; 36 women).

Total facial lesion count fell more with the supplement than with placebo at week 12 (P=0.0197). Inflammatory lesions and skin-related quality of life scores also improved more than with placebo. There were minimal adverse events and no changes in blood counts or liver tests. One small, short, sponsor-funded trial.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No upper limit has been set because no toxicity has been reported in humans at high intakes (NIH ODS).
Very large doses, such as 10 g a day, can cause mild diarrhea and stomach upset (NIH ODS).
In the 12-week skin trial, 2.2 g a day was well tolerated, with minimal adverse events and no changes in blood counts or liver tests.

Important Drug interactions

Pantothenic acid is not known to have any clinically relevant interactions with medications (NIH ODS). Tell your doctor about high-dose use if you take regular medication.

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Frequently asked questions about Pantothenic Acid

How much pantothenic acid (B5) should I take?

The adequate intake for adults is 5 mg a day, and a typical US diet already provides about 6 mg. Supplements range from about 10 mg in multivitamins to 1,000 mg in single B5 products. The skin trial used 2.2 g a day, more than 400 times the adequate intake, for 12 weeks.

What is pantothenic acid good for?

B5 is needed to make coenzyme A, which the body uses to release energy from food and to build fats, cholesterol and hormones. Because it is in almost every food, most people get enough without a supplement.

Is pantothenic acid used for acne?

One 12-week placebo-controlled trial found fewer facial blemishes in 41 adults with mild to moderate acne who took a B5-based supplement supplying 2.2 g a day. The study was small and sponsored by the product's marketer, so the result needs confirming. Skin creams with panthenol are a different, topical use. Acne that bothers you is worth discussing with a dermatologist.

Is pantothenic acid safe?

No upper limit has been set because no toxicity has been reported. Very large doses, around 10 g a day, can cause mild diarrhea. Pantothenic acid has no known clinically relevant medication interactions.

What is Pantothenic Acid?

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is an essential water-soluble vitamin the body uses to make coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein. Coenzyme A is needed to release energy from food and to build fats, cholesterol, steroid hormones and several neurotransmitters.

What is Pantothenic Acid used for?

Pantothenic Acid is researched primarily for Energy and Hair, Skin & Nails. Pantothenic acid is part of coenzyme A, which the body uses to turn carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. People fed diets with almost no B5 developed fatigue along with other symptoms, but there is limited evidence that extra B5 ra…

What are the signs of Pantothenic Acid deficiency?

Because some pantothenic acid is present in almost all foods, deficiency is rare except in people with severe malnutrition, and it usually comes with deficiencies of other nutrients. The only people known to have developed it were fed diets with virtually no B5 or given a drug that blocks it.

What is the recommended dosage of Pantothenic Acid?

The clinically studied dose is Adequate intake 5 mg a day for adults (6 mg in pregnancy, 7 mg when breastfeeding). The skin trial used 2.2 g a day of a pantothenic acid-based supplement, taken as two tablets twice daily with food. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Pantothenic Acid safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Pantothenic Acid is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: No upper limit has been set because no toxicity has been reported in humans at high intakes (NIH ODS). Very large doses, such as 10 g a day, can cause mild diarrhea and stomach upset (NIH ODS). It may also interact with some medications. Pantothenic Acid is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Pantothenic Acid interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Pantothenic acid is not known to have any clinically relevant interactions with medications (NIH ODS). Tell your doctor about high-dose use if you take regular medication. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Pantothenic Acid?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Pantothenic Acid as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 6 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(6 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Yang M, Moclair B, Hatcher V, Kaminetsky J, Mekas M, Chapas A, Capodice J. 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;4(1):93-101. doi: 10.1007/s13555-014-0052-3.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with mild to moderate facial acne (48 enrolled, 41 evaluable): a pantothenic acid-based supplement supplying 2.2 g of B5 a day for 12 weeks reduced total and inflammatory lesion counts and improved skin-related quality of life versus placebo; well tolerated. Sponsored by the product's marketer.
  2. 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;31(8):608-15. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2011.08.001.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 120 adults at low to moderate cardiovascular risk on a heart-healthy diet: pantethine (600 mg a day, then 900 mg a day; 16 weeks) lowered total cholesterol by 3% and LDL cholesterol by 4% versus placebo. Pantethine is a related compound, not plain pantothenic acid.
  3. Gaddi A, Descovich GC, Noseda G, Fragiacomo C, Colombo L, Craveri A, Montanari G, Sirtori CR. Controlled evaluation of pantethine, a natural hypolipidemic compound, in patients with different forms of hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis. 1984;50(1):73-83. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(84)90009-1.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind controlled trial in 29 patients with high blood lipids: pantethine 300 mg three times a day for 8 weeks lowered total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Tested pantethine, not pantothenic acid.
  4. Kennedy DO. B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy--A Review. Nutrients. 2016;8(2):68. doi: 10.3390/nu8020068.PubMedUsed to support: Review of B vitamins and the brain: pantothenic acid is the substrate for coenzyme A, which takes part in energy metabolism and in the synthesis of cholesterol, fatty acids, phospholipids, several neurotransmitters and steroid hormones.
  5. Freese R, Aarsland TE, Bjørkevoll M. Pantothenic acid - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Food Nutr Res. 2023;67. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v67.10255.PubMedUsed to support: Scoping review for the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023: pantothenic acid is a component of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein, is widely found in foods, nutritional deficiency is rare and toxicity negligible, and no health concerns were identified.
  6. Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Pantothenic Acid: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. 2026;Updated May 1, 2026..SourceUsed to support: Government fact sheet (not PubMed-indexed): adequate intakes (5 mg for adults), sources, typical US intake of about 6 mg a day, deficiency rare except in severe malnutrition and its symptoms, PKAN as the at-risk group, pantethine (not pantothenic acid) lowers lipids, no upper limit, mild diarrhea at about 10 g a day, and no clinically relevant medication interactions.