Vitamin B12 (Hydroxocobalamin) Treatment

What is vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is a vitamin needed for:

• Making healthy red blood cells
• Keeping nerves healthy
• Reducing tiredness and fatigue

The body cannot make Vitamin B12; it must come from diet or supplements

Why have I been recommended vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin)?

A Vitamin B12 deficiency has been confirmed by blood tests and you may have reported symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Pins and needles
• Memory or concentration problems
• Anaemia

Conditions affecting absorption of Vitamin B12 include pernicious anaemia, gastrointestinal conditions and certain medications.

This treatment has been prescribed specifically for you under a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)

What is a Patient Specific Direction (PSD)?

• A PSD is a written instruction from a qualified prescriber such as your GP
• It allows a named healthcare professional such as a healthcare assistant (HCA) to give you this medicine safely
• It applies only to you and your prescribed treatment

What will be included in my treatment plan?

Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) is given as an injection into a muscle (e.g. upper arm or buttock). It will be administered here at St Andrew’s Medical Centre in an appointment with our Healthcare Assistant. 

Depending on the treatment plan issued by your GP you may require loading doses to start of 1 mg 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Ongoing maintenance dose are usually 1mg every 3 months/12 weeks. 

What are the benefits of treatment?

Treatment with Hydroxocobalamin can provide:

• Improved energy levels
• Improvement in symptoms related to deficiency
• Prevention of long-term complications such as nerve damage

However please be aware some symptoms may take weeks or months to improve

Possible side effects

Vitamin B12 is generally very safe

Common or mild effects:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site
• Mild headache
• Feeling dizzy or unwell briefly after injection

Rare but important:

• Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing difficulties)

You must seek urgent medical help if severe allergic symptoms occur

When should I not have the injection?

You should not have Hydroxocobalamin injections you have:

• Known allergies to Vitamin B12 or cobalt
• Previous serious reaction to a B12 injection

You must tell your clinician if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are taking other medicines or supplements
• Have been told you have low levels of potassium
• Have an irregular or fast heartbeat (arrhythmia)

Monitoring and follow-up

We will use blood tests to monitor your levels and long-term treatment may be required for some conditions. It is important to attend all appointments

What if I miss an appointment?

• Contact the practice as soon as possible to rearrange
• Do not wait until the next scheduled dose without advice

Further information and support

For more information about Hydroxocobalamin and Vitamin B12 Deficiency please visit the NHS website

Consent and patient acknowledgement

If you have any questions about this treatment please ask your healthcare professional prior to consenting for the treatment. 

If you are happy to proceed please provide your consent to your GP. This can be done 

• Verbally During a telephone or face to face consultation and will be recorded on your records
• In writing by signing a PSD form provided by your GP
• Replying “YES” if you have been sent this information by text message. 

The healthcare assistant will confirm your consent I still valid at each appointment for your injections.

You are able to withdraw your consent at any point and your PSD treatment plan will stop.