This page contains the following sections:

• Types of Injected B12
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Injected B12 Treatment
• Doses and Using Injected B12

You can go to a section by selecting the link.

Types of Injected B12

Injected vitamin B12 is available in three chemical forms:

• Hydroxocobalamin - marketed as NEO-CYTAMEN or NEO-B12 in Australia, NZ and UK
• Methylcobalamin
• Cyanocobalamin

Hydroxocobalamin

Hydroxocobalamin has the following advantages:

• It is a natural form of cobalamin
• Most readily available form in Australia
• Low cost
• Highest retention time in body
• Does not produce cyanide within the body

Hydroxocobalamin has the following disadvantage:

• Requires conversion, within the body, to the methyl form

Methylcobalamin

Methylcobalamin has the following advantages:

• It is a natural form of cobalamin
• Does not require conversion, within the body, to the methyl form
• Does not produce cyanide within the body

Methylcobalamin has the following disadvantages:

• Not readily available in some locations
• Higher cost?
• Less stable form of cobalamin

Cyanocobalamin

Cyanocobalamin has the following advantages:

• Only available form in some locations
• Most stable form of cobalamin

Cyanocobalamin has the following disadvantages:

• Shorter retention time in body stores
• Not the natural form of cobalamin
• Requires conversion, within the body, to the biologically active methyl form
• Conversion to the methyl form produces small quantities of cyanide; the potential for toxicity is uncertain, although experts have not advised against the use of the cyano form

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Injected B12 Treatment

Advantages of injected B12 treatment

• Very rapid build up of body stores
• Effective even in cases where there is no passive intestinal absorption
• Does not depend on patient compliance
• Provides a reliable record of treatment

Disadvantages of injected B12 treatment

• Can be painful
• Prescription required in some locations
• Should not be self-administered unless patient is taught how to do so by professional
• Risk of needle stick injury to medical staff
• Higher cost
• Increased risk of allergic reactions
• Increased risk of fatal hypokalaemia

Doses and Using Injected B12

Please do not attempt to self-inject vitamin B12, unless you have been taught how to do so properly by a nurse or doctor. It is especially important that vitamin B12 must never be injected into a vein; to do so can be harmful or fatal.

For information about correct doses, as well as precautions and other essential information, read the data sheet. The NEO-CYTAMEN data sheets for Australia, NZ and the UK, references FB0P1 to FB04, can be accessed from links on the References page.

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