Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Essential B vitamin critical for energy metabolism, hormone synthesis, and stress response

Scientific namePantothenic Acid FormulaC9H17NO5 Molecular weight219.24 g/mol CAS79-83-4

85 absorption score

9 safety / 10

12 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) with:

90 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Energy metabolism support

Essential component of coenzyme A for energy production

Required for acetyl-CoA formation and Krebs cycle Evidence A-grade 1-2 weeks

Stress response support

Required for adrenal hormone synthesis

Essential for cortisol and stress hormone production Evidence B-grade 2-4 weeks

Skin and wound healing

Supports healthy skin and accelerates wound healing

Required for cellular repair and collagen synthesis Evidence B-grade 4-8 weeks

Cholesterol metabolism

Essential for cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis

Coenzyme A required for lipid metabolism pathways Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks

Neurotransmitter synthesis

Required for acetylcholine production

Coenzyme A needed for neurotransmitter synthesis Evidence A-grade 2-6 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Melatonin Sleep support & circadian rhythm 0.5-3mg A 50% Ashwagandha Stress management & energy 300-600mg A 75% Magnesium Glycinate Superior absorption sleep & muscle support 200-600 mg A 90% Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Energy & nerve support 250-1000 mcg A 70% Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Heart health & cellular energy 100-200mg A 10% Phosphorus Bone health & energy metabolism 700-1250mg A 80%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Caffeine May increase pantothenic acid excretion Needs attention 58

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Lactase Improved calcium absorption when consuming dairy Works better together 82

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Bovine Collagen Essential for collagen synthesis and cross-linking Works better together 82

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + DHA Prevents oxidation of DHA and enhances stability Works better together 82

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Marine Collagen Enhanced collagen synthesis and stability Works better together 82

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Vitamin D3 Both involved in adrenal function and stress response Works better together 86

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Magnesium Oxide Required for many coenzyme A-dependent reactions Works better together 90

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) Protects fish oil from oxidation Works better together 90

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) + Calcium Carbonate Essential for calcium absorption and utilization Works better together 94

Dosage

Morning with food

Daily100-500 mg

Maintenance50-200 mg

Therapeutic500-2000 mg

Acne treatment2000-10000 mg (medical supervision)

MaximumNo established upper limit

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects1-2 weeks for energy improvements

Peak Benefits4-8 weeks for stress and skin benefits

Deficiency DevelopmentSeveral months (deficiency is rare)

Toxicity OnsetNo known toxicity at reasonable doses

How to measure it

$80-120

MarkerUrinary pantothenic acid excretion

Optimal>1 mg/24 hours

Deficient below<0.5 mg/24 hours

FrequencyRarely needed - deficiency is uncommon

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 1 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Rash 1

Named as the suspect 1 reports of 3 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 100% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event1

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption Very high 85 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound

Delivered daily 255 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.16 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Other B Vitamins

Work together in energy metabolism

Complementary roles in metabolic pathways · level A

Vitamin C

Both involved in adrenal function and stress response

Complementary roles in hormone synthesis · level B

Magnesium

Required for many coenzyme A-dependent reactions

Cofactor for pantothenic acid-dependent enzymes · level B

What not to take with Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

2 documented

Alcohol

Increases pantothenic acid requirements

Interferes with CoA metabolism and increases needs · moderate significance

Caffeine Excess

May increase pantothenic acid excretion

Diuretic effect and stress response activation · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

antibiotics-broad-spectrum Minor

May reduce pantothenic acid synthesis by gut bacteria

What to do: Consider supplementation during long-term antibiotic use

oral-contraceptives Minor

May slightly increase B5 requirements

What to do: Ensure adequate B5 intake

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Calcium Pantothenate 85

Pantethine 90

Sodium Pantothenate 80

Calcium Pantothenate: Most stable form, Well-absorbed, Most research

Pantethine: Active metabolite, Better for cholesterol, Enhanced effects

Sodium Pantothenate: Good absorption, Stable, No calcium

Food sources

before you supplement

Beef liver 8.3 mg/100g · 85

Sunflower seeds 1.1 mg/100g · 80

Mushrooms 2.1 mg/100g · 75

Avocado 1.4 mg/100g · 80

Sweet potato 0.9 mg/100g · 70

Too little

deficiency signs

Fatigue and irritability
Depression and anxiety
Insomnia and restlessness
Muscle cramps and weakness
Digestive problems
Increased susceptibility to infections
Poor wound healing (severe deficiency is rare)

Too much

toxicity signs

No known toxicity at normal supplemental doses
Digestive upset at very high doses (>10g)
Possible yellow skin discoloration (very high doses)
Diarrhea and nausea (megadoses)
No upper limit established

Who benefits most

high-stress-individuals

Stress increases pantothenic acid requirements

250-500 mg daily

athletes

Increased energy metabolism and stress response

100-500 mg daily

acne-sufferers

High-dose B5 may reduce acne severity

2000-10000 mg daily (with medical supervision)

adrenal-fatigue

Required for adrenal hormone synthesis

500-1000 mg daily

wound-healing

Supports cellular repair processes

250-500 mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) at 100-500 mg per serving. The form that matters here is Calcium Pantothenate.

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Alcohol

Increases pantothenic acid requirements

Interferes with CoA metabolism and increases needs

Caffeine excess

May increase pantothenic acid excretion

Diuretic effect and stress response activation

How it works

Essential component of coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA)
Required for fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation
Critical for steroid hormone synthesis
Needed for acetylcholine neurotransmitter production
Required for Krebs cycle energy production
Essential for cholesterol synthesis pathway

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Essential for coenzyme A synthesis - established biochemistry
May reduce acne severity at high doses (dermatology studies)
Required for stress hormone synthesis (endocrinology research)
Supports wound healing and tissue repair (clinical studies)

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)?

Documented effects: Energy metabolism support; Stress response support; Skin and wound healing; Cholesterol metabolism. Essential component of coenzyme A for energy production

How much Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) should you take per day?

The common daily range is 100-500 mg. By goal — maintenance: 50-200 mg; therapeutic: 500-2000 mg; acne treatment: 2000-10000 mg (medical supervision); maximum: No established upper limit.

When is the best time to take Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)?

Morning with food. First effects are typically reported within 1-2 weeks for energy improvements.

What are the side effects of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)?

At excessive doses: No known toxicity at normal supplemental doses, Digestive upset at very high doses (>10g), Possible yellow skin discoloration (very high doses), Diarrhea and nausea (megadoses), No upper limit established. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.

What should you not take with Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)?

Separate it from Alcohol, Caffeine Excess by two to four hours. Increases pantothenic acid requirements

Does Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) interact with medications?

Documented interactions with antibiotics-broad-spectrum, oral-contraceptives. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)?

The marker is Urinary pantothenic acid excretion, optimal range >1 mg/24 hours. Common deficiency signs: Fatigue and irritability, Depression and anxiety, Insomnia and restlessness, Muscle cramps and weakness.

Taken for

28 Sleep & Stress

Melatonin · Magnesium Glycinate · Ashwagandha

62 Energy & Metabolism

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) · Ashwagandha · Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)