Vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin (vitamin B-12))
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Vitamin B12, a cobalt-containing B complex vitamin, is commercially available as cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin, which are synthetic forms of vitamin B12.
Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit(R)) is an antidote for cyanide poisoning.
USES: See also Precautions section. Cyanocobalamin is a man-made form of vitamin B12 used to prevent and treat low blood levels of this vitamin. Most people get enough vitamin B12 from their diet.
Vitamin B12 is important to maintain the health of your metabolism, blood cells, and nerves. Serious vitamin B12 deficiency may result in a low number of red blood cells (anemia), stomach/intestine problems, and permanent nerve damage. Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur in certain health conditions (such as intestinal/stomach problems, poor nutrition, cancer, HIV infection, pregnancy, old age, alcoholism).
It may also occur in people who follow a strict vegetarian (vegan) diet.
Generic name: cyanocobalamin (vitamin B-12)
Pronunciation: (SYE-an-oh-koe-BAL-a-min)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Vitamin B-12
Indications
The following indications are listed for Vitamin B-12:
- Prevention Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Cyanocobalamin is administered by IM or deep subcutaneous injection. Cyanocobalamin also is administered orally and intranasally. Hydroxocobalamin is administered by IM injection or IV infusion. Oral therapy with vitamin B12 preparations is markedly inferior to parenteral therapy and should be used only for the treatment of dietary vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with normal GI absorption.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
Safety of concomitant administration of other cyanide antidotes with hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit(R)) has not been established. Caution is advised if another cyanide antidote is administered to patients receiving hydroxocobalamin.
Absorption of vitamin B12 from the GI tract may be decreased by aminoglycoside antibiotics, colchicine, extended-release potassium preparations, aminosalicylic acid and its salts, anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone), cobalt irradiation of the small bowel, and by excessive alcohol intake lasting longer than 2 weeks. Neomycin-induced malabsorption of vitamin B12 may be increased by concurrent administration of colchicine.
Ascorbic acid may destroy substantial amounts of dietary vitamin B12 in vitro; this possibility should be considered when large doses of ascorbic acid are ingested within 1 hour of oral vitamin B12 administration.
Prednisone has been reported to increase the absorption of vitamin B12 and secretion of IF in a few patients with pernicious anemia, but not in patients with partial or total gastrectomy. The clinical importance of these findings is unknown.
Concurrent administration of chloramphenicol and vitamin B12 reportedly may antagonize the hematopoietic response to vitamin B12 in vitamin B12-deficient patients. The hematologic response to vitamin B12 in patients receiving both drugs should be carefully monitored and alternate anti-infectives should be considered.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
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There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
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There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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Adequate and well-controlled studies have not been conducted in pregnant women. However, vitamin B12 requirements are increased in pregnant women. Parenteral preparations should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits justify the potential risks to the fetus.
Vitamin B12 is distributed into human milk. Vitamin B12 requirements are increased in lactating women.
Hydroxocobalamin may be administered to lactating women with suspected or known cyanocobalamin poisoning. There is no data available to determine when breastfeeding may be restarted following administration of IV hydroxocobalamin.
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ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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