Hydroxocobalamin injection
Cobalin-H, Neo-Cytamen
Granskad av Sid DajaniSenast uppdaterad av Michael Stewart, MRPharmSSenast uppdaterad 12 Dec 2022
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Hydroxocobalamin is used to treat some types of anaemia.
It is given by injection into a muscle.
Treatment with hydroxocobalamin is usually lifelong.
Överblick
Hydroxocobalamin is a form of vitamin B12, given as an injection.
It treats anaemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12, often due to pernicious anaemia.
It is also used for some rare eye conditions.
Injections are given into a muscle, initially every 2-3 days, then every 2-3 months.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to cobalt.
I den här artikeln:
Videoval för Vitamin- och mineraltillskott
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About hydroxocobalamin
Typ av medicin | Vitamin B12 replacement |
Används för | Anaemia caused by lack of vitamin B12, and some rare eye conditions |
Även kallad | Cobalin-H®; Neo-Cytamen® |
Tillgänglig som | Injection |
The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK is a condition called pernicious anaemia. This is a condition where insufficient amounts of vitamin B12 are absorbed into your body from the food you eat. This can be because you are not able to absorb it properly, or because you have had surgery which has removed part of your digestive system. This type of anaemia is easily treated by having regular injections of hydroxocobalamin, which is a form of vitamin B12.
Hydroxocobalamin is also occasionally used for some rare eye conditions.
Before having hydroxocobalamin
Tillbaka till innehållSome medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start having hydroxocobalamin injections it is important that your doctor knows:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (Hydroxocobalamin is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby or while breastfeeding, but nevertheless you should let your doctor know about this.)
If you know you have an allergy to cobalt.
Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.
Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.
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How your hydroxocobalamin is given
Tillbaka till innehållHydroxocobalamin will usually be given to you by your doctor or nurse. It will be given by injection into a muscle.
When you first start treatment, you will need to have an injection every 2-3 days. This is to top up the store of vitamin B12 in your body. After a few weeks, you will only need to have one injection every 2-3 months. Your doctor will tell you when to arrange an appointment for you to have these injections. If ever you miss an appointment, you should contact your doctor's surgery to make another appointment as soon as possible so that you receive your injections on time.
Få ut det mesta av din behandling
Tillbaka till innehållBefore you start this treatment, ask to read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about treatment with hydroxocobalamin.
Try to keep your regular doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. You may need to have some blood tests from time to time, particularly at the beginning of your treatment. The tests will check that the treatment is working, and will also check on the amount of potassium in your blood, as this may drop a little initially.
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Can hydroxocobalamin cause problems?
Tillbaka till innehållAlong with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below lists some of the most common ones associated with hydroxocobalamin injections. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve in the first few days after having the injection, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
Hydroxocobalamin side-effects | Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta? |
Känner dig illamående (nausea) | Stick to simple meals - avoid rich or spicy food |
Huvudvärk | Drick mycket vatten och be din apotekare rekommendera en lämplig smärtstillande. Om huvudvärken fortsätter, kontakta din läkare |
Känner dig yr | If this happens, do not drive and do not use tools or machines until you feel well again |
High temperature (fever), rash, itching or pain where you were injected | Let your doctor or nurse know about these |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
How to store hydroxocobalamin
Tillbaka till innehållFörvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.
Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.
Viktig information om alla läkemedel
Tillbaka till innehållViktig information om alla läkemedel
If you are having an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Om du köper några läkemedel, kontrollera med en apotekare att de är lämpliga att ta tillsammans med dina andra läkemedel.
Behåll inte föråldrade eller oönskade mediciner. Ta dem till ditt lokala apotek som kommer att ta hand om dem åt dig.
Om du har några frågor om denna medicin, fråga din apotekare.
Rapportera biverkningar av ett läkemedel eller vaccin
Om du upplever biverkningar kan du rapportera dem online via Yellow Card webbplats.

Osäker på att blanda mediciner?
Kontrollera möjliga interaktioner mellan läkemedel, kosttillskott och livsmedel innan du tar dem tillsammans.
Vanliga frågor
What is pernicious anaemia and how does it relate to hydroxocobalamin?
Pernicious anaemia is the most common reason for vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK. With this condition, your body doesn't properly absorb vitamin B12 from food. Hydroxocobalamin, a form of vitamin B12, is given as regular injections to treat this type of anaemia.
How long will I need to have hydroxocobalamin injections?
Initially, you will receive injections every 2-3 days to build up your body's vitamin B12 stores. After a few weeks, this will reduce to one injection every 2-3 months on an ongoing basis. Your doctor will advise you on the exact schedule and when to book follow-up appointments.
Are there any reasons why I might not be able to have hydroxocobalamin injections?
Yes, it's important to tell your doctor if you have an allergy to cobalt or if you've had an allergic reaction to any medicine before. While generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should still inform your doctor if either applies to you.
What should I do if I miss an appointment for my hydroxocobalamin injection?
If you miss an appointment for your injection, you should contact your doctor's surgery as soon as possible. It's important to make another appointment quickly so that you receive your injections on time and maintain your treatment schedule.
What are the common side-effects of hydroxocobalamin and what can I do about them?
Common side-effects include feeling sick (nausea), headaches, feeling dizzy, or a high temperature, rash, itching, or pain at the injection site. For nausea, try eating simple meals. For headaches, drink water and ask a pharmacist for a suitable painkiller. If you feel dizzy, avoid driving or using machinery. If any side-effects continue or become bothersome, or if you experience a high temperature, rash, itching or pain at the injection site, speak with your doctor or nurse.
Will I need any tests while I'm having hydroxocobalamin treatment?
Yes, you might need to have blood tests periodically, especially when you first start treatment. These tests help ensure that the treatment is working effectively and will also check your blood potassium levels, as these can sometimes drop slightly at the beginning of treatment.
Can hydroxocobalamin affect other medicines I'm taking?
The article doesn't specify if hydroxocobalamin interacts with other medicines, but it states that you should inform your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including any bought without a prescription, herbal remedies, and complementary medicines. Also, if you buy any new medicines, you should check with a pharmacist if they are suitable to take with your current medication.
Vidare läsning och referenser
- Manufacturer's PIL, Hydroxocobalamin Injection BP 1 mg/ml; Accord-UK Ltd, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated September 2020.
- Mediciner Komplett BNF 89:e Utgåvan; Brittiska Läkarföreningen och Kungliga Farmaceutiska Sällskapet i Storbritannien, London.
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Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Ansvarig för granskning av medicinbroschyrer – Konsult, Apotekare
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael är en apotekare som arbetar i Midlands och South Yorkshire med mer än 20 års erfarenhet av att ge råd om läkemedel och medicinska tillstånd. Han har en stark bakgrund inom vårdutbildning och har producerat och levererat utbildningskurser för apoteksteam och personal inom vårdboenden, inklusive sjuksköterskor. Han har också bidragit till apoteksrådgivande styrelser för hantering av mindre allvarliga tillstånd i samhället.
Om recensenten

Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani tog examen vid London School of Pharmacy 1994 och blev den yngsta valda medlemmen i Royal Pharmaceutical Society-rådet sedan dess grundande 1842.
Artikelhistorik
Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.
Next review due: 11 Jun 2027
12 Dec 2022 | Senaste versionen

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