Pronunciation:

sye-an-oh-koe-BAL-a-min

Brand Names:

• Cobal
• LA-12
• Neuroforte-R
• Vita #12
• Vitabee 12
• Bedoz

Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Nutritive Agent

Pharmacologic—

Vitamin B (class)

Uses of This Medicine:

Cyanocobalamin injection is used to treat or prevent vitamin B12 deficiency caused by the following conditions:

• Addisonian (pernicious) anemia
• Stomach or bowel problems
• Worm infestation
• Pancreas or bowel cancer
• Folic acid deficiency.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Normal daily requirements of vitamin B12 vary according to age.

Older adults—

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of cyanocobalamin injection in geriatric patients.

Breast-feeding—

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Chloramphenicol
• Omeprazole

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to cobalt—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.

• Megaloblastic anemia, severe—May increase risk for hypokalemia.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.

If you are using this medicine to treat vitamin B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anemia, you will need to use the medicine for the rest of your life.

Tell your doctor if you are on a vegetarian diet.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly. Blood and other laboratory tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

bleeding from the gums or nose

blue lips and fingernails

chest pain

cough

coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum

decreased urine output

difficult, fast, noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing

difficulty with swallowing

dilated neck veins

dizziness

extreme fatigue

eye pain

fast heartbeat

headache

hives, itching, or skin rash

increased sweating

irregular breathing

irregular heartbeat

pale skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

ringing in the ears

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

tightness in the chest

unusual tiredness or weakness

weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Diarrhea

skin rash with a general disease

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.