where can I buy a B12 injection pen - Pernicious Anaemi...

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where can I buy a B12 injection pen

sioux2 profile image
14 Replies

Hi,

I've found sites online that sell B12 injector pens and the B12 injections but they are based in Canada (B12shot.com) I don't know whether to trust the site or their products and am hoping someone knows where I can purchase these in the UK or anyone that has bought from this company.

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sioux2
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14 Replies
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

unlikely you will be able to buy in the UK as it would be covered by the rules on injectable substances being prescription only.

Really interesting to see that a B12 pen is out there at last ... though it is really expensive at the moment but it will probably spread and catch on.

However, looking at the rest of the site they do seem to be more focused on making a fast (canadian) buck and selling into the weight-loss market rather than a genuine medical solution - also looks as if they are talking about a monthly fee ...

the contents are 3x as much as in a normal shot which is just likely to be excessive and result in more being flushed down the lavatory as the rate of loss is higher if you have more in your blood so more isn't necessarily better - and they are also suggesting a really high frequency of use which is also likely to be unnecessary.

Not sure what scientific backing they have for most of the claims made on their 'learn more' page - most of which looks biased at best - and really not sure where the claim that you will lose the effect of the shot more quickly if you drink more water comes from - never come across any studies that would imply that was true - it also claims that B12 isn't stored in the body and because it is water soluble which is definitely a load of twaddle.

Personal conclusion - great that someone is actually developing a pen but personally I wouldn't touch this version with a barge-pole as there is too much sales hype and misinformation on the site.

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator

Hi Sioux2. I agree with Gambit62.

Also note that the form of B12 used is Cyanocobalamin - this should not be used by anyone with Leber's Optic neuritis or any form of renal impairment.

👍

in reply to Foggyme

Interesting ... my daughter has has optic neuritis twice and nobody can say why!?

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator

Hi eforeilly. Sprays, patches, sublinguals etc. work for some people, but not for everybody (especially those who have absorption problems).

The B12 absorption rate is 100% from injections and 1%-3% from other methods of delivery.

In the UK, B12 injection is the only recommended treatment when neurological symptoms are present.

I tried sublingual and sprays in the early days, and neither worked for me.

But...worth trying because they do work for some people (gambit62 has good effect from B12 nasal drops).

👍

Bobonuts profile image
Bobonuts in reply to Foggyme

Hi Foggyme, can I find evidence of what you sate in the above reply to another member. '' the b12 absorbing rate is 100% from inj.. and only 1%-3% from All other methods of delivery." And in the U.K. Injection is the only recommended treatment when neurological symptoms are present. I know the BNF,

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to Bobonuts

Hi bobnuts. Really short of time right now so here’s some links for you to browse through (see in particular, BSH treatment guidelines, BNF etc.).

Also not - the only B12 tablets currently licenced for use in the UK are 50mcg - only suitable for B12 dieficency caused by dietary deficiency.

Apologies if you've seen all this before...no time to sort...here you go...

b12researchgroup.wordpress.... (Serious Caution Note about the use of Oral and Sublingual B12 Supplements)

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

(BNF B12 Deficiency: Hydroxocobalamin Treatment Regimes)

pernicious-anaemia-society.... (PAS Symptom Checklist)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (BSH B12 Deficiency / PA Diagnostic Flowchart)

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi... in Haematology (BSH) Guidelines: Treatment of B12 Deficiency and Folate Disorders)

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi... (UKNEQAS B12 Treatment Alert, Neurological Symptoms and Risk of Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord – Immediate Treatment with B12 Injections)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (Problems with Serum B12 Test)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (Testing B12 During Treatment)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (Misconceptions About B12 Deficiency – Good to Know Before Seeing GP)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (B12 Deficiency: Neurological Symptoms Can Present Even When B12 is ‘In-Range’ and Without Macrocytosis (large red blood cells) or confirmed PA Diagnosis)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten.... (B12 Deficiency and Intrinsic Factor – Can Be Negative and Still Have PA)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (B12 Treatment Safety / Long Term Treatment for neurological symptoms)

bloodjournal.org/content/bl... (Haematologist B12 Treatment Review March 2017 – Includes Advice No Reason to Advise Against Self-Injection/More Frequent B12 Injections)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (B12 Deficiency and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms)

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/n... (Low B12 - Nitrous Oxide Contraindications)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2... (Gastric Autoimmunity: Heliobactor Pylori)

If you need anything more specific, you could try a search in google scholar...

👍

Bobonuts profile image
Bobonuts in reply to Foggyme

Fantastic , I'll get reading tomorrow . _ :)

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to Bobonuts

Great...it’s all really interesting stuff 👍

New post if you have any after reading questions 😉

Emmamed76 profile image
Emmamed76 in reply to Foggyme

Sorry for saying but I have no neuro probs and have recently started the injections.

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to Emmamed76

Hi Emmamed76. Notice that you're new to the forum so...if you have any questions or need any help, put up a new post so that all forum members can see it and people will be along to help (your comment here will only be seen by the person who wrote this post and anyone who happens to read it - not the whole forum).

You can write a post by clicking on the ‘ click to write your post' tab at the top of the main page when you log in to the forum.

👍

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator

Yes....there are a whole host of drugs that impede the absorption of vitamin B12...and folate...and many others vitamins and minerals too (PPI's, H2 antagonists, and prednisilone is another prime example).

Its worth bearing in mind that in the case of drug interactions, there may be other factors at play too (not just stomach acidity).

About the liposomal B12 - don't know much about this so will have to research. But...a couple of initial thoughts...

lack of stomach acid is not the only factor that can effect the absorption of vitamin B12 (thinking here of inborn errors of metabolism, resection of the ileum) so suitability may depend on the cause of the B12 deficiency 😉.

And wonder if the rate of absorption would be sufficient for those with neurological symptoms, at least initially.

So hmm...reading and pondering 👍

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator

P.s....oops...forgot to say...really pleased that you've found something that works for you 😀😀

bdole2018 profile image
bdole2018

An injection pen sounds like a good idea until you learn how much cheaper and easy it is to self-inject conventionally once you know how to do it properly. The regular nature of such injections means there is really no benefit to an injector pen in such situations. One of the main selling points they are using on that site is the needle is "thinner" and therefore less painful.

I am doubtful of that given the gigantic array of needles for injections of all types commercially available in a plethora gauges and lengths. If an individual is injecting by the subcutaneous route; there are suitable quite thin needles available reasonable inexpensively compared to this injector.

Injector pens are great for emergency medicine such as adrenaline that a person with severe allergies might use once in a blue moon in an emergency. They are econonimically unsound for someone taking regular injections.

jatkowski profile image
jatkowski

I have used this particular pharmacy several times to buy injectable B12, you do not need a prescrition for the B12 or needles. I haven't bought from them in the past 2yrs and didn't know about B12pen

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