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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
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Note: |
For quick reference, the following supplements are numbered to match the corresponding brand names. |
Vitamins (VYE-ta-mins) are compounds that you must have for growth and health. They are needed in small amounts only and are usually available in the foods that you eat. Vitamin B 12 is necessary for healthy blood. Cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin are man-made forms of vitamin B 12 .
Some people have a medical problem called pernicious anemia in which vitamin B 12 is not absorbed from the intestine. Others may have a badly diseased intestine or have had a large part of their stomach or intestine removed, so that vitamin B 12 cannot be absorbed. These people need to receive vitamin B 12 by injection.
Some conditions may increase your need for vitamin B 12 . These include:
In addition, persons that are strict vegetarians or have macrobiotic diets may need vitamin B 12 supplements.
Increased need for vitamin B 12 should be determined by your health care professional.
Lack of vitamin B 12 may lead to anemia (weak blood), stomach problems, and nerve damage. Your health care professional may treat this by prescribing vitamin B 12 for you.
Claims that vitamin B 12 is effective for treatment of various conditions such as aging, allergies, eye problems, slow growth, poor appetite or malnutrition, skin problems, tiredness, mental problems, sterility, thyroid disease, and nerve diseases have not been proven. Many of these treatments involve large and expensive amounts of vitamins.
Injectable vitamin B 12 is given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Some strengths of oral vitamin B 12 are available only with your health care professional's prescription. Others are available without a prescription.
Vitamin B 12 is available in the following dosage forms:
Vitamin B 12 is found in various foods, including fish, egg yolk, milk, and fermented cheeses. It is not found in any vegetables. Ordinary cooking probably does not destroy the vitamin B 12 in food.
Vitamins alone will not take the place of a good diet and will not provide energy. Your body also needs other substances found in food, such as protein, minerals, carbohydrates, and fat. Vitamins themselves often cannot work without the presence of other foods.
The daily amount of vitamin B 12 needed is defined in several different ways.
Normal daily recommended intakes in micrograms (mcg) for vitamin B 12 are generally defined as follows:
| Persons | U.S. (mcg) |
Canada (mcg) |
| Infants and children Birth to 3 years of age |
0.3-0.7 | 0.3-0.4 |
| 4 to 6 years of age | 1 | 0.5 |
| 7 to 10 years of age | 1.4 | 0.8-1 |
| Adolescent and adult males | 2 | 1-2 |
| Adolescent and adult females | 2 | 1-2 |
| Pregnant females | 2.2 | 2-3 |
| Breast-feeding females | 2.6 | 1.5-2.5 |
If you are taking this dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For vitamin B 12 , the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your health care professional if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to vitamin B 12 . Also, tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamins when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amount of vitamins throughout your pregnancy. Healthy fetal growth and development depend on a steady supply of nutrients from mother to fetus. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement in pregnancy may be harmful to the mother and/or fetus and should be avoided.
You may need vitamin B 12 supplements if you are a strict vegetarian (vegan-vegetarian). Too little vitamin B 12 can cause harmful effects such as anemia or nervous system injury.
Breast-feeding--It is especially important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins so that your baby will also get the vitamins needed to grow properly. If you are a strict vegetarian, your baby may not be getting the vitamin B 12 needed. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and should be avoided.
Children--Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
Older adults--Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts.
Medicines or other dietary supplements--Although certain medicines or dietary supplements should not be used together at all, in other cases they may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your health care professional may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other dietary supplement or any prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of vitamin B 12 . Make sure you tell your health care professional if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Dosing--If you are taking vitamin B 12 intranasal gel:
The amount of vitamin B 12 needed to meet normal daily recommended intakes will be different for different individuals. The following information includes only the average amounts of vitamin B 12 .
For patients receiving vitamin B 12 by injection for pernicious anemia or if part of the stomach or intestine has been removed :
Missed dose--If you miss taking a vitamin for one or more days there is no cause for concern, since it takes some time for your body to become seriously low in vitamins. However, if your health care professional has recommended that you take this vitamin, try to remember to take it as directed.
Storage--To store this dietary supplement:
Along with its needed effects, a dietary supplement may cause some unwanted effects. Cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin does not usually cause any side effects.
However, check with your health care professional immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare--soon after receiving injection only
Skin rash or itching; wheezing
Check with your health care professional as soon as possible if either of the following side effects continues or is bothersome:
Less common
Diarrhea; itching of skin
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some individuals. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.
Revised: 06/23/2000
Interim revision:
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