Details

Cyanocobalamin is a man-made form of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is important for growth, cell reproduction, blood formation, and protein and tissue synthesis. Cyanocobalamin is used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency in people with pernicious anaemia and other conditions. To make sure cyanocobalamin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any type of infection iron or folic acid deficiency kidney or liver disease or if you are receiving any medication or treatment that affects bone marrow. You should not cyanocobalamin if you are allergic to cobalt, or if you have Leber's disease.

Typical Uses

Cyanocobalamin is a man-made form of vitamin B12 used to treat low levels (deficiency) of this vitamin. Vitamin B12 helps your body use fat and carbohydrates for energy and makes new protein. It is also important for normal blood, cells, and nerves. Most people get enough vitamin B12 in their diet, but a deficiency may occur in certain health conditions (e.g., poor nutrition, stomach/intestinal problems, infection, cancer). Serious vitamin B12 deficiency may result in anaemia, stomach problems, and nerve damage.

Side Effects

Common side effects of cyanocobalamin may include shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain chest pain unusual warmth, redness, or pain in an arm or leg headache, dizziness, weakness nausea, upset stomach, diarrhoea numbness or tingling fever joint pain swollen tongue or itching or rash.

Drug Interactions

• Cyanocobalamin+arsenic trioxide- Arsenic trioxide can cause an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening and the risk may be increased during treatment with cyanocobalamin for severe anaemia. As your body responds to the replenishment of vitamin B12, potassium from the blood is used to generate more red blood cells. This can lead to a condition known as hypokalemia, or low blood potassium.
• Cyanocobalamin+chloramphenicol- Chloramphenicol may interfere with the effects of cyanocobalamin in the treatment of anaemia by impairing bone marrow function. Inform your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes.

Mechanism of action

Cyanocobalamin or vitamin B12 is an essential B-vitamin. Cyanocobalamin is classified as a water-soluble vitamin. Food sources of vitamin B12 include fish, shellfish, meats, and dairy products. Vitamin B12 is necessary for growth, cell reproduction, production of red blood cells (haematopoiesis), and the production of myelin and nucleoprotein. Vitamin B12 also plays an important role in the breakdown or metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and has a role in protein synthesis. Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in anaemia, gastrointestinal problems, and nerve damage. Cyanocobalamin is used to treat pernicious anaemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. It is also used in the Schilling test to determine vitamin B12 absorption.

Pregnancy Category : C