VITAMIN B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)

Brand & Generic Names

Acti-B-12
Alphamin
Alpha Redisol
Anocobin
Bedoz
Berubigen
Betalin 12
Codroxomin
Cyanabin
CYANACOBALAMIN
Droxomin
HYDROXOCOBALAMIN
Kaybovite
Kaybovite-1000
Redisol
Rubion
Rubramin
Rubramin-PC
Numerous other multiple vitam	in-mineral supplements.

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Vitamin supplement

Uses

• Dietary supplement for normal growth, development and health.
• Treatment for nerve damage.
• Treatment for pernicious anemia.
• Treatment and prevention of vitamin B-12 deficiencies in people who have had stomach or intestines surgically removed.
• Prevention of vitamin B-12 deficiency in strict vegetarians and persons with absorption diseases.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid.
Injection--Follow doctor's directions.

When to take:
Oral--At the same time each day.
Injection--Follow doctor's directions.

If you forget a dose:
Take when remembered. Don't double next dose. Resume regular schedule.

What drug does:
Acts as enzyme to promote normal fat and carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Increased adverse reactions and side effects.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

None expected.

Rare:

• Itchy skin, wheezing.
• Diarrhea.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You have Leber's disease (optic nerve atrophy).

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have gout.
• If you have heart disease.

Over age 60:
Don't take more than 100 mg. per day unless prescribed by your doctor.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
No problems expected.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• A balanced diet should provide all the vitamin B-12 a healthy person needs and make supplements unnecessary. Best sources are meat, fish, egg yolk and cheese.
• Tablets should be used only for diet supplements. All other uses of vitamin B-12 require injections.
• Don't take large doses of vitamin C (1,000 mg. or more per day) unless prescribed by your doctor.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticonvulsants*	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Chloramphenicol	Decreased vitamin B-12 effect.
Cholestyramine	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Cimetidine	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Colchicine	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Famotidine	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
H2 antagonists*	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Neomycin	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Para-aminosalicylic	Decreased effects of
acid	para-aminosalicyclic acid.
Potassium	Decreased absorption
(extended-release	of vitamin B-12.
Ranitidine	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Vitamin C	Destroys vitamin B-12
(ascorbic acid)	if taken at same time. Take 2 hours
	apart.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Decreased absorption of vitamin
	B-12.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.