B12 Active
mecobalamin (vitamin B12) Drug Details (Generic)
Generic Name:
Therapeutic Class:
Availability:
Common Brands:
Form:
PureVita Vitamin B12 Drug Details (Brand)
Generic Name:
Therapeutic Class:
Availability:
Common Brands:
Form:
B12 Active Drug Details (Brand)
Generic Name:
B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Availability:
Prescription and over-the-counter
Therapeutic Class:
Vitamins (nutritional supplements)
Forms:
Cyanocobalamin injection solution. B12 is also available in oral forms (tablets and liquid) and as a nasal gel.
Administration:
By injection, by mouth, and by application in the nose.
Therapeutic Uses:
To treat pernicious anemia.
To treat vitamin B12 deficiency caused by diet or medical condition.
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
B12 Drug Class
B12 or cyanocobalamin (sye-ah-noh-koe-bal-ah-min) is a water-soluble vitamin.
B12 Age Range
B12 is approved for use in adults and children.
B12 Active Uses (Brand)
B12 Uses
The body needs vitamin B12 for blood cell reproduction as well as the formation and functioning of nerve and brain cells. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to severe megaloblastic anemia, a type of anemia characterized by abnormally large red blood cells. This type of anemia can also occur in people with folic acid deficiency.
Signs and symptoms of B12 deficiency include glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), pale skin, fatigue, palpitations, weight loss, infertility, dementia, and numbness and tingling.
The following may receive cyanocobalamin injections to treat and prevent B12 deficiency:
People with pernicious anemia, a type of anemia in which there is lack of intrinsic factor, a natural substance that is required to absorb B12 from the intestines.
Individuals with certain diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can interfere with the normal intestinal absorption of B12.
People who eat a strictly vegan or vegetarian diet that lacks natural food sources of B12 such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, or fortified foods like breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast.
Parenteral administration of B12 (by injection under the skin or into a muscle) can be used to supplement B12 in people who have problems with oral absorption. Intravenous administration of vitamin B 12 can likewise bypass the digestive system.
There may be other uses of B12 (cyanocobalamin injections). Your health care professional or pharmacist can give you further B12 information.
B12 Mechanism of Action
B 12 (cyanocobalamin) is a man-made form of vitamin B12, which is found in certain foods. This vitamin is needed for DNA formation in the cells of the body. It is needed to maintain red blood cells, nerve cells, and brain cells.
B12 Doses
The dose of vitamin B 12 depends on the condition being treated and the severity of the deficiency. The usual dose of a cyanocobalamin injection is 100 mcg. The injection is given by a healthcare professional. You will receive injections regularly, initially once daily for about a week, then less frequently, and ultimately once every month. If you have pernicious anemia, you may need to take a cyanocobalamin injection monthly lifelong.
Keep in mind that most people who eat a balanced healthy diet do not need oral B 12 supplementation. This vitamin is present in foods of animal origin, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, as well as fortified foods like breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast. People who eat a strict vegetarian diet may need to take B12 supplements.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the recommended daily allowance of B12 is as follows:
- Birth to 6 months: 0.4 mcg
- 7 to 12 months: 0.5 mcg
- 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
- 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
- 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
- 14+ years: 2.4 mcg
- Pregnancy: 2.6 mcg
- Lactation: 2.8 mcg
Source: National Institutes of Health
mecobalamin (vitamin B12) Directions (Generic)
PureVita Vitamin B12 Directions (Brand)
B12 Active Directions (Brand)
How To Use B12
B12 comes in the form of a liquid injection solution. Your health care professional will give you the injection under your skin or into a muscle. You may need to receive injections regularly, maybe even for the rest of your life.
Keep all your appointments with your healthcare professional for cyanocobalamin injection, even if you feel well. If you stop the treatment, your anemia may come back and result in irreversible nerve damage.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose of your cyanocobalamin injection, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled injection according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take an extra injection to make up for a missed dose.
Storage: Your healthcare professional will store cyanocobalamin injection (B 12) appropriately.
Unused medicine: Your health care professional will dispose of unused or expired B12 injection appropriately. If you are using the oral or nasal spray forms of B12, do not throw unused or expired medicine in the trash or toilet. The safest way to dispose of expired or unneeded medications is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on B12. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about B12, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.
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mecobalamin (vitamin B12) Side Effects (Generic)
PureVita Vitamin B12 Side Effects (Brand)
B12 Active Side Effects (Brand)
B12 Side Effects
Possible side effects of B12 are listed below. Call your doctor if these side effects are severe or do not go away in a few days.
- Diarrhea.
- Headache.
- Weakness.
- Sensation that the entire body is swollen.
Some of the adverse effects of vitamin B12 are more serious. Call your doctor without delay or seek emergency medical attention if you develop the following signs and symptoms:
- An unusual or allergic reaction with hives, skin rash, itching.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Coughing or wheezing.
- Swelling of the arms, legs, hands, or feet.
- Extreme thirst.
- Frequent urination.
- Confusion.
- Shortness of breath, especially with exercise or lying down.
- Muscle weakness, cramps, or pain.
- Extreme tiredness.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Pain, redness, or swelling in one leg.
The above list may not include all the potential side effects of B12. Tell your doctor if the side effects are severe or last more than a few days. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
B12 Overdose: In case of an overdose of B12, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help. You can also call the local poison control center or national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person has difficulty breathing, cannot be awakened, or has had a seizure, call 911.
Source: FDA
mecobalamin (vitamin B12) Warnings (Generic)
PureVita Vitamin B12 Warnings (Brand)
B12 Active Warnings (Brand)
B12 Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Taking B12 can lead to serious adverse effects in some people. Some of the risks of B12 injections include:
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Precautions Before Starting B12
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to B12 injections, oral formulations, or nasal spray, hydroxocobalamin, other vitamins, or any other medicines. Your pharmacy can give you a list of active and inactive ingredients in B12 injections.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions between B12 and your other medications.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. B12 may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, or alcoholism.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding an infant. Your doctor will tell you how much B12 to take.
Precautions During Use of B12
Keep all your healthcare appointments while on B12 (cyanocobalamin injections). Your doctor may order certain lab tests to monitor for side effects.
Continue taking the injections even if you feel well. If you stop the injections, your anemia may come back and cause irreversible nerve damage.
If you are taking the oral form of B12, read the prescription label or package label carefully and take only as much B12 as directed.
B12 Drug Interactions
B12 can interact with certain medications and affect how they work. Some medicines can prevent the normal intestinal absorption of B12 and lead to a deficiency. Possible interactions between B12, other medications, and other dietary supplements can increase the risk of severe adverse reactions.
The following medications may have interactions with B12:
- Antibiotics such as chloramphenicol.
- Anti-gout medications like colchicine.
- Folic acid.
- Methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex), a medicine used to treat cancer and autoimmune conditions.
- Tuberculosis medications like para-aminosalicylic acid (Paser).
- Anti-malarial drugs like pyrimethamine (Daraprim).
The above list may not include all possible interactions of B12. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription and nonprescription medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professionals if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with medications and vitamin supplements.
B12 Active Pros & Cons (Brand)
B12 Pros and Cons
- B12 is available in different forms, including tablets, liquid, nasal spray, and injections. The oral forms are available over the counter without a prescription.
- B12 comes in a low-cost generic form.
- Taking B12 can prevent and treat B12 deficiency, which is associated with nerve damage.
- B12 nasal gel and injection are by prescription only.
- The oral form of B12 has low bioavailability (does not absorb well) and may not be effective in treating severe B12 deficiency.
- High doses of B12 can cause problems like low potassium and high platelet count.
B12 Active Pharmacist Tips (Brand)
B12 Tips from Pharmacists
Your doctor may order frequent medical tests while you are on B12. These laboratory tests will allow your healthcare professional to check whether you are responding to B12 treatment and monitor for side effects. Keep all your lab appointments during treatment.
If you have a condition that prevents normal intestinal absorption of B12 from food, you may need to take B12 injections lifelong. Continue taking the medication prescribed even if you feel well. Stopping treatment could make your anemia come back and cause permanent nerve damage.
B12 Active Rx Savings Tips (Brand)
B12 Rx Savings Tips
B12 is a generic medication and is available at significantly lower prices than the brand names. Brand name Vibisone and generic B12 contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic version offers better value. A BuzzRx B12 coupon can result in big savings on the brand name and generic forms of the medication. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, B12 injections could cost you a fraction of retail prices. B12 may be under $17.00 for 90 disintegrating tablets of the 1,000 mcg dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on B12, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx B12 discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.
Lowest Price for B12 | |
| Brand $16.99 | Generic $16.99 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
B12 Active Common Questions (Brand)
Common Questions about B12
What’s the difference between B12 and cyanocobalamin?Cyanocobalamin is the synthetic (man-made) form of B12. It is stable and cost-effective and is commonly used in vitamin supplements. |
How much B12 (cyanocobalamin) should I take?According to the Food and Nutrition Board, adults should take 2.4 mcg of B12 from food, fortified food, and vitamin supplements. |
Can B12 cause rapid weight gain?There is very little evidence to support that B12 can influence weight gain or weight loss. However, excess intake of B vitamins in the form of supplements may contribute to obesity. Always check with your doctor before starting any vitamin supplementation. Source: Study |
What causes B12 deficiency?People who have a condition called pernicious anemia lack a natural substance needed to absorb B12 from the intestines and can develop a B12 deficiency. Also, people who follow special dietary instructions, for example, a strict vegetarian diet, can develop B12 deficiency. On the other hand, people who eat a standard diet, including meat, fish, and dairy products, usually get enough B12 from food. |
What happens if B12 is low?Low B12 levels can lead to neurological symptoms, nerve damage, and a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. Signs and symptoms of low B12 include glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), fatigue, pale skin, palpitations, weight loss, numbness and tingling, infertility, and dementia. |
What is the price of B12 without insurance?Without insurance, B12 can be as high as $20.55, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $16.99 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of B12 with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on B12—copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for B12. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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