SUMMARY
Cyanocobalamin Injection, USP is a sterile solution of cyanocobalamin for intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. Each mL contains 1000 mcg cyanocobalamin. Each vial also contains Sodium Chloride, 0.9%. Benzyl Alcohol, 1.5%, is present as a preservative. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may have been added during manufacture to adjust the pH (range 4.5-7.0). Cyanocobalamin appears as dark red crystals or as an amorphous or crystalline red powder. It is very hygroscopic in the anhydrous form, and sparingly soluble in water (1:80). It is stable to autoclaving for short periods at 121°C. The vitamin B12 coenzymes are very unstable in light.
Cyanocobalamin is indicated for vitamin B12 deficiencies due to malabsorption which may be associated with the following conditions:
- Addisonian (pernicious) anemia
- Gastrointestinal pathology, dysfunction, or surgery, including gluten enteropathy or sprue, small bowel bacteria overgrowth, total or partial gastrectomy
- Fish tapeworm infestation
- Malignancy of pancreas or bowel
- Folic acid deficiency
It may be possible to treat the underlying disease by surgical correction of anatomic lesions leading to small bowel bacterial overgrowth, expulsion of fish tapeworm, discontinuation of drugs leading to vitamin malabsorption (see Drug Interactions), use of a gluten-free diet in nontropical sprue, or administration of antibiotics in tropical sprue. Such measures remove the need for long-term administration of cyanocobalamin.
Requirements of vitamin B12 in excess of normal (due to pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, malignancy, hepatic and renal disease) can usually be met with oral supplementation.
Cyanocobalamin Injection, USP is also suitable for the vitamin B12 absorption test (Schilling test).
|
