About methylcobalamin
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Used for
- Treats vitamin B12 deficiency, including deficiency-related anemia and nerve problems.
Usual adult dose
Often 1,000 mcg by injection daily or several times weekly initially, then less often for maintenance; schedules vary by cause and local guidance.
Usual dose in children
For deficiency, dosing depends on age and cause; a clinician determines the injection schedule.
Common side effects
- Injection-site pain or redness
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Headache
- Rarely, allergic reactions
Important warnings
- Use cautiously with cobalt allergy or previous severe reaction to vitamin B12.
- Low potassium can occur when severe anemia responds rapidly to treatment.
- Vitamin B12 treatment may obscure signs of folate deficiency.
Pregnancy
Vitamin B12 is used during pregnancy when needed to treat deficiency; dosing should be medically supervised.
Breastfeeding
Vitamin B12 is compatible with breastfeeding when used to treat deficiency.
Interactions
- Chloramphenicol may reduce the blood-forming response to vitamin B12.
- Folic acid can improve anemia while nerve damage from B12 deficiency persists.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.