menadione

Menadione is a synthetic lipid-soluble vitamin K analogue (vitamin K3) and a member of the 1,4-naphthoquinones. It acts as a provitamin that is converted in vivo to menaquinone (vitamin K2), an active form of vitamin K. Menadione serves as an essential cofactor in the hepatic synthesis of prothrombin (factor II) and other clotting factors (VII, IX, X), facilitating gamma-carboxylation necessary for blood coagulation. It has been used as a nutritional supplement and for treating hypoprothrombinemia due to vitamin K deficiency. Menadione also exhibits roles as an angiogenesis inhibitor and antineoplastic agent in research settings[1][2][3][7]. Its use in humans is limited due to potential toxicity at high doses; it remains approved primarily for veterinary use or animal feed supplementation[4].

Brand names

Vitamin K3Vit K3

Other names

2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone2-methyl-1,4-naphthochinon2-methyl-1,4-naphthalenedionemenapthenemenapthone