This blog post will walk you through: vitamin b12 over the counter.
Back To Basics
Rabi A.
Cohen E.
Sulkes J.
Garty M. Replacement therapy for vitamin B12 deficiency: comparison between the sublingual and oral route.
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Cochrane Briefs
H vitaminB 12 deficiency, two oral regimens have been shown to achieve neurologic and hematologic response in the short term. Practice Pointers
Vitamin B 12 deficiency causes macrocytic anemia, fatigue, loss of appetite, and mood disturbances. Traditionally, vitamin B 12 replacement has been administered intramuscularly because absorption through the gastrointestinal tract is deficient.
However, this route is less convenient for patients than oral medication and may not be covered by health insurance. Because a small amount of vitamin B 12 is absorbed by passive diffusion, megadoses of oral vitamin B 12 medication have been used as a cost-saving and more comfortable alternative to intramuscular B 12 administration.1
Vidal-Alaball and colleagues searched for randomized controlled trials comparing oral with intramuscular administration of vitamin B 12 . One study used a daily oral dosage of 2,000 mcg, and the other an oral dosage of 1,000 mcg daily for 10 days, then weekly for four weeks, then monthly for life.
In both studies, high-dose oral B 12 was as effective as intramuscular injection at achieving neurologic and hematologic respons.
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If you are taking supplements that you have bought, follow the dosage instructions that come with them. How to take it
Swallow prescribed cyanocobalamin tablets whole with a drink of water.
Do not chew or break them. This means at least 2 hours after a meal or snack and at least 30 minutes before you eat again. Your doctor may want to increase or decrease your dose of cyanocobalamin tablets depending on the level of vitamin B12 in your blood.
What If I Forget To Take It?
If you forget to take cyanocobalamin tablets, take your usual dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In this case just leave out the missed dose and take your next one as normal. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
What If I Take Too Much?
Taking an extra dose of cyanocobalamin tablets is unlikely to harm yo.