Biotin (Vitamin B7) 5 mg (5,000 mcg): uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Common uses: Biotin deficiency diagnosed by your doctor – signs include skin rash, hair loss and brittle nails; Hair loss or brittle nails when your doctor wants to rule out or correct low biotin.
Listed MRPs range from ₹6.61 to ₹31.65 per tablet across 4 listings.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetin 5 | East West Pharma | 10 | ₹66.09 | ₹6.61 | 19 October 2026 |
| Livhealthy Biotin 5000 mcg | Radicura Pharma pvt ltd | 60 | ₹444.03 | ₹7.40 | 19 October 2026 |
| Nature's Velvet Biotin 5000 mcg | Nature's Velvet Lifecare | 60 | ₹622.88 | ₹10.38 | 19 October 2026 |
| Now Biotin 5000 mcg | Now Foods | 60 | ₹1899.00 | ₹31.65 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Biotin deficiency diagnosed by your doctor – signs include skin rash, hair loss and brittle nails.
- Hair loss or brittle nails when your doctor wants to rule out or correct low biotin.
- A lower-strength option when a doctor recommends biotin but not the 10 mg dose.
How to take it
Take one tablet or capsule a day with water, with or after a meal, only if a doctor or dermatologist has advised it. 5 mg is still far above what the body needs (about 30 micrograms a day for adults). The NHS says 0.9 mg or less a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm, and there is not enough evidence about higher daily doses. Biotin helps hair and nails only when they are affected by biotin deficiency, which is rare. Tell your doctor and the laboratory that you take biotin before any blood test, because it can interfere with certain lab tests – for example it can make a heart attack (troponin) test read falsely low. Review with your doctor after 2–3 months if there is no change.
Side effects
Common
- Usually none – no toxic symptoms of biotin are known.
- Extra biotin that the body does not use passes out in urine.
- Stomach upset is possible, as with many supplements; taking it after food helps.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Wrong blood test results, such as a falsely low troponin during a heart attack – always tell doctors you take biotin.
- Allergic reaction – rash, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing.
- Hair loss that is sudden, patchy or with other symptoms – needs a doctor's assessment.
Safety information
Alcohol
No known interaction.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women need about 30 micrograms a day; do not take 5 mg biotin in pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless your doctor advises it.
Kidney problems
Biotin leaves the body in urine; tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking high doses.
Liver problems
No specific problem is known, but tell your doctor about liver disease.
Children
Not for children unless a doctor prescribes it.
Missed dose
Skip the missed dose and take the next one as usual. Do not double up.
Interactions
- Troponin blood test for heart attack – biotin can make the result look falsely low; tell the doctor ordering it.
- Other lab tests – biotin can interfere with certain tests; mention it before any blood test, including in an emergency.
- Hair, skin and nail supplements and multivitamins – many already contain biotin; check the total.
Frequently asked questions
Biotin 5000 mcg benefits for hair
Biotin can help hair only when hair loss is caused by biotin deficiency, which is rare. There is not good evidence that it grows hair in people with normal biotin levels.
Is biotin 5000 mcg safe daily?
No toxic symptoms of biotin are known, but 5,000 mcg is far above the roughly 30 mcg adults need, and the NHS says there is not enough evidence about daily doses above 0.9 mg. Take it only if your doctor advises it.
Biotin side effects for females
Biotin has no known toxic symptoms, and side effects are the same for men and women. The bigger issue is that it can interfere with certain lab tests, so tell your doctor before any blood test.
Does biotin affect blood test results?
Yes, it can interfere with certain lab tests. For example, biotin can make a troponin test for heart attack look lower than it really is. Tell the doctor ordering any test that you take biotin.
Biotin 5 mg vs 10 mg
Both are high doses compared with daily needs. If your doctor recommends biotin, 5 mg is the lower option; neither is proven to help people without a deficiency.
Biotin before or after food?
It can be taken either way; taking it after a meal may reduce stomach upset.
Can I take biotin with multivitamins?
Check the label first – many multivitamins and hair supplements already contain biotin, so you may not need extra.
Is biotin safe in pregnancy?
Pregnant women need only about 30 micrograms a day. Do not take 5 mg tablets unless your doctor advises it.
Sources
- NHS – B vitamins and folic acid (19 October 2026)
- MedlinePlus – Pantothenic acid and biotin (19 October 2026)
- MedlinePlus – Troponin test (19 October 2026)
- US FDA – Biotin interference with troponin lab tests (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms