Does anyone know what Methycobal (Mec... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,623 members23,985 posts

Does anyone know what Methycobal (Mecobalamin) injections are ?

Ryaan profile image
13 Replies

Is it equivalent to Hydroxocobalamin injections ? Is it just another form of B12 ? I mean same as Hydroxocobalamin/methylcobalamin and Cianacobalamin ?

I got it internationally and used it as B12, but it didn't help much at all. I used it for about 2-3 months weekly without much effect.

I normally inject Hydroxocobalamin which I can feel and has made a huge difference.

Was I using the wrong stuff for low B12 ?

Written by
Ryaan profile image
Ryaan
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
Lisahelen profile image
Lisahelen

Im sure i will be corrected if wrong, but methyl is third up the chain in the break down of b12

Cyan. Hydroxo. Methyl. Then adenosyl

Different forms work differently and also differently on people.

Hydroxo is the most stable and most tolerated and convertable.. seems methyl can cause headaches in some people if past posts are anything to go by. Think its Gambit who uses a combination of the above to get maximum relief from her symptoms. Me, i have used methyl based drops and patches and dont seem to have any side effects.

Ryaan profile image
Ryaan in reply toLisahelen

Thanks for your reply.

Does the spray work if you have absorbtion problems.

Polaris profile image
Polaris

This is Dr Wilhelmina Rietsema's explanation :

Active form of vitamin B12

"Strictly speaking, the term 'vitamin B12' has been defined as cyanocobalamin. This form does not occur in vivo. Cyanocobalamin releases a cyanide group for every molecule of B12 that is used. However, it is incorrect that hydroxocobalamin is the active form of the vitamin.

There are two active forms of the B12 enzyme in the human cell. First, Methylcobalamin acts as a co-enzyme for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Methionine then acts as a methyl-donor to a great number of reactions that need a methyl group, including the synthesis of myelin, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenalin, DNA and phospholipids.

Second, Adenosylcobalamin is a co-enzyme for the conversion of L-methylmalonyl-CoA into succinyl-CoA which feeds into the citric acid cycle.

Is it important which form is used in treatment? In most people, it does not matter. They can convert cyano- and hydroxo-cobalamin into the active forms needed. However, I have recently reported a case in which it did matter. The severe vitamin B12 deficiency, including dementia and psychosis, responded to treatment with high dose oral methylcobalamin, but not to equally high dose oral hydroxocobalamin. [1] "

1. Rietsema WJ. Unexpected Recovery of Moderate Cognitive Impairment on Treatment with Oral Methylcobalamin. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

I'm guessing but does not the 500μg signify the fact that it is only "half strength"?

Maybe that is why you are not feeling any benefit.

Ryaan profile image
Ryaan in reply toclivealive

I didn't realise it was 500ug, so it is half the strength so half the usual dosage compared to the normal 1ml I took of hydroxo so I need 2 injections at a time to compare effectiveness. I thought the ampules were all 1ml.

Thanks

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply toRyaan

Hi Ryaan. The ml measurement referred to the volume of fluid that contains the B12. The ug measurement refers to the actual dose of the B12 (rather than the fluid it's suspended in).

Note - ug is the same measurement as mcg.

So 500ug is equal to 500mcg so you need double the dose to obtain 1000ug (or 1000mcg). And 1000mcg is equal to lmg - the dose of B12 you probably usually take (based on what you say)....suspended in 1ml of liquid.

Most ampoules contain 1mg of B12 suspended in 1ml of liquid (though it is possible to get variations of B12 doses in different amounts of liquid (as examples 1mg in 2mls, or 1.5mg in 1ml...and so on).

And I bet that is as clear as mud 🙃

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply toFoggyme

1000mcg is the dosage usually used with hydroxocobalamin and cyanocobalamin injections in the UK/US

I am not sure what protocols would be in countries that use methylcobalamin.

There was probably a patient leaflet that came with the product so suggest Ryaan that you read that.

Some people do find that lower doses more frequently work better for them - so I'd suggest trying it and see how you go before deciding that you need to use multiple doses administered simultaneously - particularly as the rate of lost of B12 is higher the higher the amount in your blood is.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply toGambit62

Ryann, sorry - just noticed that you had been using it for several months without effect - could be that you need to take it more frequently than hydroxo - eg given that it is a lower dosage - or genuinely could be that methyl doesn't work well for you and hydroxo works better. Would suggest you try more frequent rather than multiple dose for the reasons stated above.

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply toGambit62

Hi Gambit62 . Just to clarify...wasn't suggesting that Ryaan should take a double dose...just responding to his question (i.e. Is two 500mcg equal to his usual 1mg dose) 😄

Agree that smaller more frequent doses work better for some people.

Ryaan profile image
Ryaan in reply toFoggyme

Thanks I didn't know that.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

me is commonly used as a shorthand for methyl - so seems to be methylcobalamin.

pvanderaa profile image
pvanderaa

I used this brand during a trip to Riyadh. The methyl was more active so the half dose 500 mcg/ml worked pretty much the same as my normal weekly cyano.

The ampoules are wrapped in paper to keep out the light until use.

I would just take them at half the interval of your normal injection if you feel that it doesn't last.

don't take them two at one time to get to your normal dosage

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply topvanderaa

Pvanderra. Not sure what you mean when you say 'the methyl was more active'...methylcobalamin is no more 'active' than any other form of cobalamin.

Perhaps you mean that it worked well for you and gave good symptom relief. And that's good news 😄.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Hydroxocobalamin or Methycobal (Mecobalamin) for self-injections?

Hi, can anyone please tell me if it's safe to use Methycobal injection 500ug (Mecobalamin) for...
pas250218 profile image

Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin): advise patients with known cobalt allergy to be vigilant for sensitivity reactions

A somewhat lacklustre MHRA warning: Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin): advise...
helvella profile image

Starting B12 Injections - What To Expect?

Hi! I am now going to be starting Vitamin B12 injections in a couple of weeks, one every other day...

Time to buy more B12

Up to date info required regarding purchase of B12 ampoules, please. I hate self injecting and...
newlandvale profile image

Newbie in PA - What drugs are you taking ?

Hi guys, I have just been diagnosed with PA. I am UK based. My B12 level is 118ng/L (normal...
Dragon2014 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.