Which countries provide viamin B 12 over the counter please?

[Footygirl]

I have a friend who travels widely. Soon she is going to Ilaly. In which countries can she by the injection vials and syringes and, more importantly, can she bring them back in her suitcase for me?

Thanks

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[Marz]

You can buy both OTC in Greece. Articlox is the brand. I have not had problems transporting back to the UK either.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Strictly speaking the regulations that allow individuals to import B12 from europe are regulations allowing the procurement of drugs for personal use where they are not available in the home country, so she would actually be committing an offence as she wouldn't be transporting the drugs for personal use. However, it is unlikely that she would be quizzed at all and not sure that a prosecution would be likely given that it isn't a classed drug - just one that is covered by prescription only rules.

Buying syringes in the UK isn't an issue - it's only the injectible B12 that is controlled by virtue of the fact that all injectible substances are classified as prescription only medications - same applies to trying to source injectible saline.

[Footygirl in reply to Gambit62]

Cheers gambit, solid gold as usual. Thanks for info on importing.

Trouble is I dont travel. Motion of most things sets off falling down and vomitting, such an attractive combination I always think. So would be stuck if for personal use only.

Drat. D-in-law used to be trolly dolly. There again, never got off plane! 😂😂😂

Will try friend and see if she is amenable.

Hope so

Regards

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[jillc39]

I have bought recently in Canada and Malaga. no problem at all - how many? I was asked, and do you want syringes as well? Oh the bliss of it.

[Footygirl in reply to jillc39]

Ah. Not thought of quantities. Whats the usual ( if there is ever such a thing)? How longs... depends on dose once loading finished but no idea how long that will be cos I feel pretty rubbish. Say every two months? Is there a max?

Thanks jill. Ill buy syringes here if its no problem.

I dream...

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[jade_s in reply to Footygirl]

Do you have neuro symptoms? Have they been around for a while? It seems to me that long standing neuro symptoms might need a longer regiment of every-other-day injections.

The ampoules I recently bought expire mid-2019, so you can easily stock up. With my symptoms, I figured on at least a few months' worth of loading doses.

CyanoB12 and a high dose hydroxyB12 are available OTC in Belgium, and possibly in France and the Netherlands. Germany seems to be have the best options and of course it's all available OTC.

[Footygirl in reply to jade_s]

Yes Jade. I have neuropath in my feet which has been ignored by foot care people NHS, and docs in general. My brain is failing me more and more.

Thats another thing. Loading is 1ml injection, is it once a week until symptoms go or more frequently Is that right?

I shall try three monthly 1ml after that and keep a syrict check on symptoms. I shall always check with you on my progress.

Thanks for the most positive feedback it gives confidence,

Love

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[jade_s in reply to Footygirl]

Sorry to hear that, I feel your pain, literally!

According to the BNF Guidelines, with neuro symptoms, it's 1mg injections every other day until no further improvement. After that, it's once every 2 months (though that might be too infrequent for some).

[fbirder]

If you look over on the right (unless you're using a mobile version of HU) there's a list of related posts. Here's one that covers this topic -

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[Footygirl in reply to fbirder]

I have pm you. Thanks

[Willow2627]

I travel to Italy and buy both B12 and syringes over the counter to bring back. You can only buy cyanocobalamin there and it's called Dobetin B12. It's quite cheap and so are the syringes but if you buy the syringes in the UK they're even cheaper.