Type of medicine: vitamin
Generic and brand names: cyanocobalamin, injection; cyanocobalamin, oral; hydroxocobalamin, injection; vitamin B-12, injection; vitamin B-12, oral; Berdoz; CaloMist Nasal Spray; Cobal; Cobex; Cobolin-M; Crystamine; Cyanoject; Cyomin; Depo-Cobolin; Ener-B; Kaybovite-1000; LA-12; Nascobal Nasal Spray; Rapid B-12 Energy; Sytobex; Twelve Resin-K; Vibal; Vibisone; Vitamin B-12 Injection; Vitamin B-12 Tablets (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)
This medicine is a form of vitamin B-12, a necessary nutrient. It is used to treat vitamin B-12 deficiency and to meet the increased need for vitamin B-12 during pregnancy, hemorrhage, anemia, and other conditions. Vitamin B-12 may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you are taking any antibiotics, methotrexate, or pyrimethamine. These medicines can affect test results for vitamin B-12. Also tell your provider if you have any kind of infection.
Tell your provider if you drink alcohol. Alcohol can keep your body from absorbing this medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
This medicine can be given by tablets, injections, or as a nasal spray.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package. Do not take more than prescribed or stop taking it without your provider's approval. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.
The injections are usually given by a healthcare provider. If you are using the nasal spray, use it at least 1 hour before or after eating or drinking hot foods or liquids. If you develop nasal congestion contact your healthcare provider. The nasal spray may not work as well if you are congested.
If you have long-acting tablets, do not break, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist if you have the long-acting tablets.
If you have sublingual tablets, place them on your tongue and let them dissolve. Do not swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist about anything you do not understand.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
If you have pernicious anemia, you will need to use this medicine for the rest of your life. If you do not use the medicine regularly, the anemia may return and cause permanent damage to nerves in your spinal cord.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Eating a well-balanced diet will help this medicine work and will help you feel better generally. Your healthcare provider or a dietitian can help you choose healthy foods and ways to prepare them.
A vegetarian diet that does not include meat, milk products, and eggs will not supply enough vitamin B-12. If you are a vegetarian, you need to take vitamin B-12 by mouth regularly.
Folic acid is not a substitute for vitamin B-12, but these nutrients are often taken together. Follow your healthcare provider's directions.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe dizziness, unexplained fever, muscle weakness or cramps, confusion, anxiety, numbness or tingling.
Other: Mild diarrhea, feeling of swelling all over your body, pain at the spot where injection is given, headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, back pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
