From the Guidelines
The recommended dose for a Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) injection is 1 mg of hydroxocobalamin administered intramuscularly, with the frequency depending on the specific condition and treatment phase, and there is no special "weekend dose". The treatment protocol for vitamin B12 deficiency involves administering hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly on alternate days until there is no further improvement for people with neurological involvement, then administering hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly every 2 months 1. For people with no neurological involvement, hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly should be administered three times a week for 2 weeks, followed by maintenance treatment with 1 mg intramuscularly every 2–3 months for life 1.
Key Considerations
- The frequency of vitamin B12 injections depends on the specific condition and treatment phase, with no special "weekend dose" required.
- For maintenance therapy, injections are typically given every 2-3 months, as recommended by the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society guidelines 1.
- It is essential to treat vitamin B12 deficiency immediately, especially in cases with possible neurological involvement, and seek urgent specialist advice from a neurologist and haematologist if necessary 1.
Administration and Storage
- Vitamin B12 injections should be administered intramuscularly, and the medication should be kept refrigerated unless otherwise directed by the healthcare provider.
- Proper injection technique and storage requirements should be followed, especially for self-administering patients.
From the Research
Vitamin B12 Injection Dosage
The recommended dosage for a Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) injection can vary depending on the individual's condition and the frequency of administration.
- For maintenance therapy, a dose of 1000 micrograms cyanocobalamin once a month is recommended 2.
- There is no specific evidence provided for a recommended weekend dose for Vitamin B12 injections.
Oral Supplementation
In cases where oral supplementation is preferred or necessary, the following dosages have been studied:
- Daily oral doses of 647 to 1032 micrograms of cyanocobalamin were associated with 80% to 90% of the estimated maximum reduction in plasma methylmalonic acid concentration 3.
- A dose of 1 mg/day of oral cyanocobalamin was effective in treating and maintaining vitamin B12 levels in patients with Crohn's disease 4.
- Oral supplementation with 1000 μg/d of cyanocobalamin improved vitamin B12 deficiency in pernicious anemia 5.
Parenteral Regimens
Parenteral regimens using 1000 micrograms cyanocobalamin, with 5 or 6 biweekly injections for loading and once-a-month for maintenance, may be necessary to meet metabolic requirements in many patients 2.