Methylcobalamin

Description

Methylcobalamin is a man-made form of Vitamin B12 which is important for nerve health, brain function, and red blood cell production. This medicine mainly treats Vitamin B12 deficiency in people with anaemia and peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain in hands and feet). Methylcobalamin regulates the major processes in your body like cell multiplication, blood formation, and protein synthesis. It comes in oral (tablet and capsule) and injection forms. It may also be used in combination with other medicines to treat many disorders. Your doctor will decide the dose, duration and dosage form based on the severity of your condition. Methylcobalamin shows side effects like diarrhoea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Inform your doctor if these side effects persist. Temporary pain or redness at the injection site is also reported in some people. Do not use Methylcobalamin if you are allergic to it. Methylcobalamin tablet can be taken with food. AnMethylcobalamin injection is given by a qualified health care professional in a hospital or clinic. Do not self-administer this injection. Methylcobalamin should be used with caution if you have low potassium levels and optic nerve disease (swelling and damage of the nerves of eyes). Before taking this injection, inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, Leber's disease (nerve disease that leads to sudden, painless vision loss). Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Methylcobalamin

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Headache
  • Skin rash
  • Chest pain and discomfort
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue

Uses of Methylcobalamin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Megaloblastic Anaemia
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The peak effect of Methylcobalamin can be observed within 3 hours of taking it orally. In the case of Methylcobalamin injection the time taken to show its effect is one hour.
  • Duration of effect
    The duration of action of Methylcobalamin is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol should be avoided while treatment with Methylcobalamin due to increased risk of dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Methylcobalamin has no habit forming tendency.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Methylcobalamin should not be used in pregnancy to treat anaemia unless it is vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. It should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation and after all the risks and benefits are discussed.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Methylcobalamin is not known to be harmful in breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk at very low levels. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.

Allergy

Avoid using Methylcobalamin if you are allergic to it. Allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.

Leber's Disease

Methylcobalamin is not recommended for use in individuals who have Leber's Disease, a rare genetic disorder characterized by painless and sudden vision loss. This medicine may cause serious damage to the optic nerve (the nerve that connects the eye to the brain) in these individuals.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Methylcobalamin should not be used in pregnancy to treat anaemia unless it is vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. It should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation and after all the risks and benefits are discussed.

Breast-feeding

Methylcobalamin is not known to be harmful in breastfeeding women. It passes into breast milk at very low levels. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.
General warnings

Elderly

Older people may have a reduced capacity to absorb Methylcobalamin tablet through the intestine. However, no effect is there in absorption in case of Methylcobalamin injection it is well absorbed.

Gastrointestinal surgery

People who have had recent gastrointestinal surgery may have reduced absorption of Methylcobalamin.

Folic acid

Folic acid supplements can mask some of the symptoms of anaemia caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency or Methylcobalamin deficiency. Hence, it is advised that you consult your doctor and make sure that the right supplement is being taken.

Use of antacids

Using antacids and Methylcobalamin together may reduce the absorption of this medicine. Your doctor may advise you on the duration gap between these two medicines.

Missed Dose

Oral forms: Take the missed dose of Methylcobalamin as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose. Injection: As Methylcobalamin is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is low.

Overdose

Oral forms: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor in case of an Methylcobalamin overdose. Injection: Since Methylcobalamin is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol should be avoided while treatment with Methylcobalamin due to increased risk of dizziness and drowsiness.
Interaction with Medicine

Chloramphenicol

Omeprazole

Ranitidine

Antidiabetic drugs

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Methylcobalamin with water or milk or as directed by your doctor. Foods containing vitamin B12 like meat, eggs, dairy products, fortified cereals, etc. can increase the Methylcobalamin levels in your body. Avoid or limit alcohol consumption while taking this medication. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine.
Miscelleneous

To be taken with food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Methylcobalamin works by facilitating the production of red blood cells in your body and protect nerve fibres from damage.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Vitamins

Schedule

OTC

Encyclopedia, M. and B12, V., 2021. Vitamin B12: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 17 June 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002403.htm>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Methylcobalamin hydrate. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 June 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/91886214#section=Top>

Npra.moh.gov.my. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 June 2021].

http://npra.moh.gov.my/images/reg-and-noti/PI/non-poison/Mecobalamin-Templat-Injection-Website.pdf>

Ods.od.nih.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 June 2021].

https://ods.od.nih.gov/pdf/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer.pdf>

Ods.od.nih.gov. 2021. Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin B12. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 June 2021].

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/>

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Information on this page was last updated on 7 Oct 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.