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Can B12 injection be given subcutaneously?
It is important to monitor your symptoms if you change to oral B12. If symptoms return, then the oral/sublingual dose can be increased to 2000mcg or you may need to consider starting back on injections. Subcutaneous (SC) injection; this is off-licence but still effective.
Does B12 have to be injected into muscle?
Vitamin B12 Shots Are Very Effective Vitamin B12 shots are the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency. The injections are prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly, or into muscle. Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin.
Is Vitamin B12 given SUBQ or IM?
Most vitamin B12‐deficient individuals in the UK and other countries are treated with intramuscular vitamin B12, and vitamin B12 replacement has been traditionally administered intramuscularly. Intramuscular vitamin B12 can be administered in two different forms: cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin.
How should B12 injections be administered?
This medicine is injected into a muscle or deeply under the skin. It is usually given by a health care professional in a clinic or doctor’s office.
How long does it take for subcutaneous injection to work?
Subcutaneous means under the skin. In this type of injection, a short needle is used to inject a drug into the tissue layer between the skin and the muscle. Medication given this way is usually absorbed more slowly than if injected into a vein, sometimes over a period of 24 hours.
Why is B12 administered intramuscularly?
Traditionally, vitamin B12 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.
What can go wrong with a subcutaneous injection?
Are there any complications? The most common complication of a subcutaneous injection is pain near the injection site for 1 to 2 days afterward. Pain near the injection site can happen when inserting the needle at the wrong angle, or when it moves slightly during the injection.
Is injectable B12 better than oral?
The authors of the two studies comparing oral with intramuscular administration of vitamin B12 concluded that oral vitamin B12 was as effective as the intramuscular treatment.
Should you bleed after a subcutaneous injection?
Use a bandage if there is bleeding but usually, the injection site won’t bleed. If you’ve accidentally nicked a blood vessel, a little bleeding is normal. It should stop soon. Dispose of the needle or syringe in a puncture-proof container.
What are the disadvantages of subcutaneous injections?
Improper subcutaneous injection of pharmaceuticals may result in side effects, such as bruising, haematoma and pain at the injection site33. One of main factors that may affect those side effects is the injection speed.