Vitamin B12 Injection Description

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that your body does not store so you have to consume it through your diet on a daily basis to reap the benefits. If you do not eat enough meat, dairy, or eggs regularly, your doctor may recommend a Vitamin B12 Injection, or generic Cyanocobalamin as an ongoing treatment.

Risk Factors for Becoming Deficient in Vitamin B12

Other groups of people that may not be receiving a sufficient amount of Vitamin B12 are those over fifty years of age. This is usually because their stomach doesn’t have enough hydrochloric acid needed to absorb Vitamin B12 from the foods they eat. Celiac or Crohn’s disease also reduces the amount of Vitamin B12 that your body can absorb.

An autoimmune disease called pernicious anemia targets your stomach’s mucosal cells so you are unable to make a protein called intrinsic factor that binds with Vitamin B12 as it enters your body to make red blood cells.

Strict vegetarians are likely to have a Vitamin B12 deficiency and find that they are anemic and tire easily, have muscle weakness, irregular heartbeats, and a shortness of breath. The generic alternative is not made by the company that makes the brand product.

Conditions Treated by Vitamin B12 Injections

Your body goes through two steps in order to absorb Vitamin B12 from the food you eat. First, the hydrochloric acid in your stomach needs to separate the B12 from the protein it is attached to in food. Next, Vitamin B12 joins with a protein called intrinsic factor (IF), that’s made by your stomach and is then absorbed. However, those with pernicious anemia are not able to make IF so absorption is next to impossible.

A deficiency of Vitamin B12 can also occur if you are taking medications to treat a peptic ulcer or acid reflux as some of these can make it difficult for your body to absorb Vitamin B12 from your diet. Type 2 diabetics can also have difficulties with the absorption of B12 due to Metformin, a common Rx medicine.

Before You Take Vitamin B12 Injection

Ask your doctor if a Vitamin B12 Injection is harmful to your unborn or nursing baby if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Tell your doctor about other medical conditions and allergies you have and list any current over the counter and Rx drugs you are taking, including herbal and vitamin supplements so it can be determined if a Vitamin B12 Injection could interfere with your condition or medication and affect its efficacy.

Proper Use of Vitamin B12 Injection

If you are planning on administering your own Vitamin B12 Injection at home, make sure you have been properly instructed on how and where to do so in order to fully benefit from the effects. Limit your alcohol intake as it can decrease the effects of any Vitamin B12 Injection. It’s important to keep all doctor and lab appointments so your progress can be monitored and dosage adjustments made if needed.

Possible Side Effects of Vitamin B12 Injection

• Mild, temporary diarrhea
• Redness at the injections site

Drugs Similar to Vitamin B12 Injection

• Hydroxocobalamin
• Vitamin B12 1000mcg Sublingual
• Vitamin B12 1200mcg Time Release