Drug Name

Vitamin B-12

Drug Uses

Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver. Vitamin B-12 is a collective term for a group of cobalt-containing compounds known as corrinoids. The principal cobalamins are cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin as well as the two coenzyme forms of Vitamin B-12, methylcobalamin as well as 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (adenosylcobalamin). Cyanocobalamin is the principal form of the vitamin used for fortification of foods as well as in nutritional supplements. Vitamin B-12 is as well as called cobalamin because it contains the metal cobalt. Vitamin B-12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B-12 from proteins in foods during digestion. Hydroxocobalamin is a man-made form of Vitamin B-12. The advantage using hydroxocobalamin is the lack of adverse effects seen with the nitrites such as methemoglobinemia as well as hypotension. It works by exchanging the hydroxy group for cyanide to form the non-toxic cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B-12).

How Taken

Take Vitamin B-12 as directed by your doctor.

• Take Vitamin B-12 by mouth with or without food.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may possess about how to Vitamin B-12.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Vitamin B-12's main functions are in the formation of red blood cells as well as the maintenence of a wholesome nervous system. Vitamin B-12 is an especially substantial vitamin for maintaining wholesome nerve cells as well as it aids in the production of DNA as well as RNA, the body's genetic bodily. Cyanocobalamin works to promote common growth as well as development, helps with confident types of nerve damage, as well as treats pernicious anemia. Vitamin B-12 helps in the formation of red blood cells as well as in the maintenance of the central nervous system. Nerves are surrounded by an insulating fatty sheath comprised of a intricate protein called myelin. B12 plays a vital role in the metabolism of fatty acids essential for the maintenance of myelin. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration as well as irreversible neurological damage.

Vitamin B-12 is essential for the proper production of blood platelets as well as red as well as pale blood cells, the manufacture of vital substances needed for cell function, as well as the metabolism of nutrients essential for cell growth. It participates in a variety of cellular reactions to release energy from carbohydrates, fats as well as protein. Vitamin B-12 helps maintain the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers from each other. People with Vitamin B-12 deficiency show irregular destruction of the myelin sheaths, which eventually causes paralysis as well as death. Vitamin B-12 levels decrease with age as well as various measures of cognitive impairment are associated with reduced B-12 status. The most substantial take of Vitamin B-12 is to treat the symptoms of pernicious anemia. Vitamin B9 (folate) as well as vitamin B12 are critical to the health of the nervous system as well as to a process that clears homocysteine from the blood. Vitamins B-12, B-6, as well as B-9 (folate) work closely together to control blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations are considered to be a risk factor for vascular disease as well as birth defects such as neural tube defects.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose of Vitamin B-12 as well as are using it regularly, take it as soon as likely. Incase it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose as well as go back to your normal dosing schedule.

Storage

Store Vitamin B-12 at room temperature, between 68 as well as 77 degrees F (20 as well as 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, as well as light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep in a close, light-resistant container. Keep Vitamin B-12 out of the reach of children as well as away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

• Vitamin B-12 is considered protected as well as non-toxic. No toxic or adverse effects possess been associated with large intakes of vitamin B12 from food or supplements in wholesome people.

Likely Side Effects

Check with your doctor incase any of these most ordinary side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Moistureless as well as splitting hair; gingivitis (inflammation of the gums); bleeding gums; irregular, moistureless, scaly skin; decreased wound-healing rate; easy bruising; nosebleeds; weakened tooth enamel; swollen as well as painful joints; anemia; decreased ability to fight infection; likely weight gain because of slowed metabolism.

More Information

Vitamin B-12 deficiency occurs when there is an abnormally abridged level of Vitamin B-12 absorbed in the body. The absorption of dietary Vitamin B-12 occurs in the tiny intestine as well as requires a secretion from the stomach known as intrinsic factor. Incase intrinsic factor is deficient, absorption of Vitamin B-12 is severely diminished. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can be a factor in a variety of dissimilar health conditions as well as disorders. B12 deficiency inhibits of severy decrease the bodies ability to produce blood, increases blood cell destruction, as well as is very harmful to the nervous system. Characteristic signs of B-12 deficiency include fatigue, weakness, nausea, constipation, flatulence (gas), loss of appetite, as well as weight loss. Symptoms of very bad Vitamin B-12 deficiency (regardless of the cause) may include burning of the tongue, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, intermittent constipation as well as diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, menstrual symptoms, psychological symptoms, as well as nervous system problems, such as numbness as well as tingling in the feet as well as hands.