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What Is The Alternative For This Medication?
Our MD ordered B12 injectable for my 82 year old husband (Blood levels of B12 are low), but we are unable to find a pharmacy that carries it. They say it s on back order but they haven t been able to get it for months. Do you know a pharmacy that carries it? What can we use as an alternative? Oral methylcobalamin? What strength? How often? Thank you. B.
Tue, 3 Jun 2014
Hi,
Vitamin B 12 is given in injectable form to improve the level of B12 at the earliest. If you are not able to find it, You can try any other brands of injectables. If that too is not available, oral Vit B12/ B complex are available in plenty. You can take twice daily. Oral capsules come in dosage of 500 micrograms to 2000 micrograms.
Larger dose would not cause any side effect as it is a water soluble vitamin.
Whether you take Vit B12 orally or injections, get a Reticulocyte count done after 15-20 days to check for improvement. If its improving, it should be more than 3-4%.
If there is no improvement after oral Vit B12 after 20 days in reticulocyte count, there could be absorption problem. Then injectables are absolutely necessary.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further queries, i would be happy to help.
Vitamin B 12 is given in injectable form to improve the level of B12 at the earliest. If you are not able to find it, You can try any other brands of injectables. If that too is not available, oral Vit B12/ B complex are available in plenty. You can take twice daily. Oral capsules come in dosage of 500 micrograms to 2000 micrograms.
Larger dose would not cause any side effect as it is a water soluble vitamin.
Whether you take Vit B12 orally or injections, get a Reticulocyte count done after 15-20 days to check for improvement. If its improving, it should be more than 3-4%.
If there is no improvement after oral Vit B12 after 20 days in reticulocyte count, there could be absorption problem. Then injectables are absolutely necessary.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further queries, i would be happy to help.
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