HYDROXOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B₁₂)

Antianaemia medicine

Dosage Forms

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Solution for injection

1 mg/ml

Uses

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  • Treatment of megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency
  • Treatment of pernicious anaemia
  • Prophylaxis of macrocytic anaemia associated with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency

Dose and Duration

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All doses given by IM injection
Treatment of pernicious anaemia and other megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency without neurological involvement
  • Adult: 1 mg 3 times a week on alternate days for 2 weeks then 1 mg every 3 months
  • Child 1 month- 18 years: 0.25–1 mg 3 times a week on alternate days for 2 weeks then 0.25 mg once a week until blood counts are normal then maintenance dose of 1 mg every 3 months
Treatment of megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency with neurological involvement
Adult and child: 1 mg on alternate days until there is no further improvement then 1 mg every 2 months
Prophylaxis of macrocytic anaemias associated with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency
Adult and child: 1 mg every 2–3 months

Contraindications

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  • Sensitivity to hydroxocobalamin

Side Effects

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  • Headache, dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Injection site reactions
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Hypokalaemia during initial stages of therapy

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breast-feeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Do not give before confirmation of diagnosis except in emergencies as indiscriminate use may mask exact diagnosis
  • Doses greater than 10 μg daily may produce a haematological response in patients with folate deficiency
  • Risk of cardiac arrhythmias secondary to hypokalaemia during initial therapy