Vitamin B12 (Monograph)

Brand name: Nascobal
Drug class: Vitamin B Complex
VA class: VT100
Chemical name: 5,6-dimethyl-benzimidazolyl cyanocobamide,
CAS number: 68-19-9

Introduction

A cobalt-containing, B complex vitamin.^a Cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin are synthetic forms of vitamin B₁₂.^a

Hydroxocobalamin: Antidote for cyanide poisoning.¹⁰⁴

Uses for Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Treatment of pernicious anemia and other vitamin B₁₂ deficiency states.^{a 102 105}

Parenteral cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin: Treatment of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency due to inadequate intrinsic factor (IF) secretion; impaired intestinal absorption; or dietary deficiency associated with a vegetarian diet.^{a 102 105}

Cyanocobalamin is considered the parenteral vitamin B₁₂ preparation of choice; hydroxocobalamin may be preferred for initial treatment.^a

Cyanocobalamin nasal spray: Used to maintain hematologic status in adults with pernicious anemia with no nervous system involvement who have responded to parenteral vitamin B ₁₂ therapy.¹⁰³ Also used as a supplement for vitamin B₁₂ deficiency due to dietary deficiency, impaired absorption, inadequate secretion of IF, or certain other conditions.¹⁰³

Dietary Requirements

Adequate intake needed to prevent vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and neurologic complications associated with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.¹⁰¹

Adequate intake of vitamin B₁₂ usually can be accomplished through consumption of foodstuffs; however, about 10–30% of geriatric individuals are unable to absorb naturally occurring vitamin B₁₂ and should consume vitamin B₁₂-fortified food or supplements.¹⁰¹ Inadequate intake can occur in vegetarians and their breast-fed infants.^a Mixed foods whose main ingredient is meat, fish, or poultry; milk; and fortified ready-to-eat cereals are the main sources of vitamin B₁₂ in the diet of US adults and children.¹⁰¹

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) in adults based on amount needed to maintain hematologic status and normal serum vitamin B₁₂ concentrations.¹⁰¹

Adequate intake (AI) established for infants ≤6 months of age based on observed mean vitamin B₁₂ intake of infants fed principally human milk; AI for infants 7–12 months of age based on AI for younger infants and data in adults.¹⁰¹

RDA for children 1–18 years of age based on data in adults.¹⁰¹

Metabolic Disorders

Parenteral cyanocobalamin: Management of hereditary deficiency of transcobalamin II.^a

Schilling Test

Parenteral cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin: Used in conjunction with cyanocobalamin Co 57 in Schilling test to study vitamin B₁₂ absorption. ^a

Cyanide Poisoning

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): Treatment of known or suspected cyanide poisoning.^{104 107 108 109} Used in conjunction with airway and cardiovascular support and management of seizure activity.¹⁰⁴

Vitamin B12 Dosage and Administration

Administration

Cyanocobalamin is administered orally, intranasally, or by IM or deep sub-Q injection.^{a 102 103}

Hydroxocobalamin is administered by IM injection or IV infusion.^{104 105}

Oral Administration

Oral therapy is inferior to parenteral therapy. ^a May be used for treatment of dietary vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in patients with normal GI absorption.^a

Parenteral Administration

Cyanocobalamin: Administer by IM or deep sub-Q injection.¹⁰² If administered sub-Q, avoid injection into the dermis or upper subcutaneous tissue.^a Avoid administering IV; vitamin is rapidly excreted in urine when administered IV.¹⁰²

Hydroxocobalamin: Administer by IM injection (vitamin deficiency)¹⁰⁵ or by IV infusion (cyanide poisoning).¹⁰⁴ Avoid administering IV for vitamin deficiency.¹⁰⁵

For drug compatibility information, see Compatibility under Stability.

IV Administration for Cyanide Poisoning

Hydroxocobalamin: (Cyanokit); Administer by IV infusion.¹⁰⁴

May require a dedicated IV line.¹⁰⁴ Administration through the same IV line as blood products not recommended.¹⁰⁴

Reconstitution

Reconstitute vial containing 2.5 g of hydroxocobalamin with 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection; invert or rock vial for at least 30 seconds.¹⁰⁴ Do not shake vial.¹⁰⁴ Lactated Ringer's injection or 5% dextrose injection can be used if 0.9% sodium chloride injection is not available.¹⁰⁴ Reconstituted solution contains 25 mg/mL.¹⁰⁴

Rate of Administration

Initial 5-g dose: 15 minutes.¹⁰⁴

Second 5-g dose: 15 minutes (for patients in extremis) to 2 hours; rate depends on patient condition.¹⁰⁴

Intranasal Administration

Administer intranasally using a metered-dose pump.¹⁰³ Administer 1 hour before or 1 hour after ingestion of hot foods or liquids.¹⁰³

Prior to intranasal administration, clear nasal passages.¹¹⁰ Insert the nasal adapter 1 cm into one nostril, point the tip of the adapter toward the back of the nose, hold the other nostril closed, and tilt head slightly forward, pump the drug into nostril, sniff gently during and immediately after dosing, return head to upright position, remove pump unit from nose.^{110 a}

Efficacy has not been established in patients with nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis, or upper respiratory tract infection; defer use until these symptoms have subsided.¹⁰³

Prime the pump before each use.¹⁰³

Dosage

Vitamin B ₁₂ deficiency: Duration of therapy depends on cause; long-term therapy not needed when other therapeutic measures correct the underlying cause of the deficiency.^a

Cyanocobalamin metered-dose pump delivers 500 mcg of the drug (0.1 mL) per actuation.¹⁰³

Pediatric Patients

Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

IM

Hydroxocobalamin: Initially, single doses of 100 mcg to total dose of 1–5 mg given over ≥2 weeks.¹⁰⁵

Hydroxocobalamin: Maintenance, 30–50 mcg every 4 weeks.¹⁰⁵

Dietary and Replacement Requirements

Oral

Infants born to vegan mothers: Supplement with AI from birth because these infants' vitamin B₁₂ stores are low and their mother’s milk may supply very small amounts of the vitamin.¹⁰¹

Infants ≤6 months of age: Recommended AI is 0.4 mcg (0.06 mcg/kg) daily.¹⁰¹

Infants 7–12 months of age: Recommended AI is 0.5 mcg (0.06 mcg/kg) daily.¹⁰¹

Children 1–3 years of age: RDA is 0.9 mcg daily.¹⁰¹

Children 4–8 years of age: RDA is 1.2 mcg daily.¹⁰¹

Children 9–13 years of age: RDA is 1.8 mcg daily.¹⁰¹

Children 14-18 years of age: RDA is 2.4 mcg daily.¹⁰¹

The RDAs will not meet the needs of individuals with malabsorption syndrome.¹⁰¹

Cyanide Poisoning† [off-label]

IV

Hydroxocobalamin: 70 mg/kg has been used.^{104 107}

Adults

Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

IM or Sub-Q

Cyanocobalamin: Initially, 100 mcg daily for 6–7 days.¹⁰² If clinical manifestations improve and reticulocyte response observed, administer 100 mcg every other day for 7 doses and then 100 mcg every 3–4 days for 2–3 weeks.¹⁰²

Cyanocobalamin: Maintenance, 100 mcg every month.¹⁰²

IM

Hydroxocobalamin: Initially, 30 mcg daily for 5–10 days.¹⁰⁵

Hydroxocobalamin: Maintenance, 100–200 mcg every month.¹⁰⁵

Intranasal

Maintenance, 500 mcg (one actuation) once weekly.¹⁰³ Increase dose in patients who experience a decline in serum vitamin B₁₂ concentrations after 1 month of therapy.¹⁰³

Dietary and Replacement Requirements

Oral

Men and women ≥19 years of age: RDA is 2.4 mcg daily.¹⁰¹

Adults ≥51 years of age should obtain most of their vitamin B₁₂ from fortified food or a vitamin B₁₂ supplement.¹⁰¹

The RDAs will not meet the needs of individuals with malabsorption syndrome.¹⁰¹

Cyanide Poisoning

IV

Hydroxocobalamin: Initially, 5 g (two 2.5-g vials).¹⁰⁴ A second 5-g dose may be administered, based on the severity of the poisoning and clinical response.¹⁰⁴

Schilling Test

IM or Sub-Q

Cyanocobalamin: Flushing dose is 1000 mcg.¹⁰²

IM

Hydroxocobalamin: Flushing dose is 1000 mcg. ¹⁰⁵

Special Populations

Pregnant Women

RDA for pregnant women is 2.6 mcg daily.¹⁰¹

Lactating Women

RDA for lactating women is 2.8 mcg daily.¹⁰¹

Requirements increased in lactating women to ensure adequate concentration of the vitamin in milk.¹⁰¹

Cautions for Vitamin B12

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to vitamin B₁₂, cobalt, or any ingredient in the formulation.^{102 103 105}

• No contraindications when used for treatment of cyanide poisoning.¹⁰⁴

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Hypokalemia

Fatal hypokalemia reported in intensively treated patients with megaloblastic anemia.^{a 102 103 105} Monitor serum potassium concentrations during early vitamin B₁₂ therapy and administer potassium if necessary.^{105 a}

Polycythemia Vera

Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency may suppress signs of polycythemia vera; treatment may unmask this condition.^a

Ocular Effects

Avoid use in patients with early Leber’s disease (hereditary optic nerve atrophy); rapid and severe optic nerve atrophy reported.^{102 103}

Sensitivity Reactions

Sensitivity Reactions

Anaphylaxis reported with parenteral preparations.^{102 103}

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): Rash, mainly acneiform, reported in 20 or 44% of individuals receiving a 5- or 10-g dose, respectively.¹⁰⁴

Skin Test

Administer an intradermal test dose prior to administration of vitamin B₁₂ for vitamin deficiency in patients who may be sensitive to cobalamins.^a

General Precautions

Laboratory Monitoring

Obtain hematocrit, reticulocyte count, vitamin B₁₂, folate, and iron levels prior to treatment for vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.^{102 103} Monitor hematologic parameters as necessary during therapy.^{102 103}

Aluminum

Some cyanocobalamin injection preparations contain aluminum, which may be toxic.¹⁰² Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired.¹⁰² Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum.¹⁰²

Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum >4–5 mcg/kg daily accumulate aluminum at levels associated with CNS and bone toxicity.¹⁰² Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.¹⁰²

Benzyl Alcohol in Neonates

Cyanocobalamin injection may contain benzyl alcohol as a preservative; benzyl alcohol has been associated with toxicity in neonates.^{102 111 112 113 114 115 116} (See Pediatric Precautions.)

Blood Pressure

Transient elevations in BP reported in individuals receiving IV hydroxocobalamin.¹⁰⁴

Undiagnosed Anemia

Use extreme caution if folic acid is administered to patients with undiagnosed anemia; may obscure the diagnosis of pernicious anemia by alleviating hematologic manifestations of the disease while allowing neurologic complications to progress.^a

Renal Effects

Oxalate crystals observed in the urine of healthy individuals and cyanide poisoning victims following administration of hydroxocobalamin.¹⁰⁴

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.^{102 103 104 105}

Lactation

Distributed into human milk.^{102 103}

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): Caution advised; no data available to determine when breast-feeding may be restarted following administration of IV hydroxocobalamin.¹⁰⁴

Pediatric Use

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): Safety and efficacy not established.¹⁰⁴

Cyanocobalamin: Benzyl alcohol has been associated with toxicity (“gasping syndrome”) in neonates; each mL of cyanocobalamin injection (e.g., preparation manufacturered by Abraxis) contains 15 mg of benzyl alcohol.^{102 111 112 113 114 115 116}

Geriatric Use

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): No substantial differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger adults.¹⁰⁴ Dosage adjustment not needed.¹⁰⁴

Hepatic Impairment

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): Safety and efficacy not studied in patients with hepatic impairment.¹⁰⁴

Renal Impairment

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): Safety and efficacy not studied in patients with renal impairment.¹⁰⁴ Hydroxocobalamin and cyanocobalamin excreted unchanged in urine.¹⁰⁴

Common Adverse Effects

Usually nontoxic even in large doses; mild transient diarrhea, peripheral vascular thrombosis, itching, transitory exanthema, urticaria, body swelling reported in patients receiving parenteral preparations.^a

Drug Interactions

Colchicine, aminosalicylic acid and its salts, and excessive alcohol intake lasting >2 weeks may reduce absorption of vitamin B₁₂ from the GI tract.^{102 103}

Specific Drugs and Laboratory Tests

Vitamin B12 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Irregularly absorbed from the distal small intestine following oral administration. ^a Requires gastric IF for active absorption from the GI tract.^a

Following parenteral (IM or sub-Q) administration, hydroxocobalamin is absorbed more slowly than cyanocobalamin.^a

Following administration of cyanocobalamin nasal spray, bioavailability is about 6.1% compared with IM administration.¹⁰³

Distribution

Extent

Distributed into liver, bone marrow, and other tissues.^{103 a}

Crosses the placenta and is distributed into milk.^a

Elimination

Elimination Route

50–98% may be excreted in urine.¹⁰²

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

Cool dry place. ¹⁰⁶

Parenteral

Solution for Injection

20–25°C; protect from light.¹⁰²

Powder for Injection

25°C (may be exposed to 15–30°C).¹⁰⁴ May be stored for short periods at temperatures that occur with usual transport (15 days 5–40°C), transport in the desert (4 days 5–60°C), and freeze/defrost cycles (15 days in a range from -20 to 40°C).¹⁰⁴

Store reconstituted solution at ≤40°C; discard 6 hours after reconstitution.¹⁰⁴

Nasal Spray

Upright at 15–30°C; protect from light. ¹⁰³ Keep covered in carton until needed.¹⁰³ Protect from freezing.¹⁰³

Compatibility

Parenteral

Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit): Incompatible with ascorbic acid, diazepam, dobutamine, dopamine, fentanyl, nitroglycerin, pentobarbital, propofol, sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate, thiopental.¹⁰⁴

Cyanocobalamin injection: Reported to be incompatible with chlorpromazine hydrochloride, phytonadione, prochlorperazine edisylate, warfarin sodium, ascorbic acid, dextrose, heavy metals, oxidizing or reducing agents, and alkaline or strongly acidic solutions.^a

Cyanocobalamin: Solution CompatibilityHID

Cyanocobalamin: Drug Compatibility

Actions

• An exogenous source of vitamin B₁₂ is required for nucleoprotein and myelin synthesis, cell reproduction, normal growth, and the maintenance of normal erythropoiesis.^a

• In cyanide poisoning, hydroxocobalamin binds to the cyanide ion to form cyanocobalamin which is excreted in the urine.¹⁰⁴

Advice to Patients

• Advise patients with pernicious anemia that they must receive maintenance dosages of cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin for the remainder of their lives to prevent irreversible neurologic damage.^a

• Advise patient of necessity of follow-up tests to confirm adequacy of therapy.¹⁰³

• Advise individuals who follow a vegetarian diet that contains no animal products to take oral vitamin B₁₂ regularly.^{102 103}

• Importance of informing patients using intranasal cyanocobalamin to administer the dose at least 1 hour before or after ingestion of hot foods or liquids.¹⁰³

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.^{102 103}

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.^{102 103} Importance of vitamin B₁₂ supplements in pregnant and lactating women who follow a vegetarian diet.^{102 103} Advise women given hydroxocobalamin for cyanide poisoning to discuss timing of resumption of breast-feeding with their clinician.¹⁰⁴

• Advise patients given hydroxocobalamin for cyanide poisoning that skin redness may last up to 2 weeks and urine coloration may last up to 5 weeks.¹⁰⁴ Importance of avoiding direct sun exposure while skin is discolored.¹⁰⁴

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.^a (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

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