B12 SHOT. TO FRIDGE OR NOT TO FRIDGE,... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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B12 SHOT. TO FRIDGE OR NOT TO FRIDGE, THAT IS THE QUESTION!!

e66-- profile image
21 Replies

Could someone possibly let me know the best way of storing the ampules, I currently have them in a draw at room temperature but I think I have read on here that some people favour keeping them in the fridge. Any advice would be most appreciated.

And, of course, a Happy New Healthy Year is wished to one and all. Many thanks in advance.

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fbirder profile image
fbirder

What flavour are they?

If they’re hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin then you can store them in that draw. They need to be below 25°C and in the dark.

If it’s methylcobalamin then it needs to be stored below 4°C.

e66-- profile image
e66-- in reply tofbirder

Thank you very much for such a succinct and prompt reply. It is methylcobalamin. I wonder if I have ruined it by keeping it for 2 days in the draw? Still haven't plucked up the courage to use it. My over active imagination is conjuring up pictures of anaphylactic shocks, even though I have had the B12 injections from doctor before! Could I give myself some sort of little test before I do the full injection? I am a trite over nervous to say the least and a dab hand at conjuring up worst case scenarios! Just need to get a grip! Sorry to trouble you at the festive season an all. Would just like to start the New Year finally more in charge of my own destiny. Have been out of action for 3 months with awful flu and then an operation, am determined to bounce back with avengence and face this new year with a little verve and vigour. I hope you are in good health. I still believe it is our birthright and I will never say never! Best wishes. M.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toe66--

What flavour was the B12 from the doctor? If it was hydroxocobalamin then you're extremely unlikely to get an allergic reaction to it on subsequent jabs. I've no idea if methylcobalamin might provoke a reaction.

Storing them in a draw for a few days is unlikely to make them go off. If you bought it from a UK supplier then it's much more likely that your they have had them stored at room temperature for days/weeks/months. They aren't supplying B12 for any medical condition, so they don't have to worry about what they sell going off.

The stability problem is one reason why people in the UK are much better off with German hydroxocobalamin. Another good reason is that some people have quite a strong adverse reaction to methylcobalamin injections.

Lurcher-lady profile image
Lurcher-lady in reply tofbirder

That’s interesting, my doctor took her methylcobalamin out of the cupboard. Something else the gp’s aren’t aware of!

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toLurcher-lady

Are you sure it's methylcobalamin? That's hard to get in the UK and isn't licensed for anything.

Lurcher-lady profile image
Lurcher-lady in reply tofbirder

Yes, I still have the box. When I started to SI I got hydro. I tried to get methyl as I’d already had that for loading doses.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toLurcher-lady

And this was a real, NHS, doctor?

Lurcher-lady profile image
Lurcher-lady in reply tofbirder

Yes, the senior one at the practice. Same one that ordered repeat levels after loading doses and told me I was wrong that results would be skewed. Same one whose nurse told me that there was nothing I could tell her about B12 as she’d been to a lecture at Bath Uni and that at 400 post loading doses my levels were too high. That’s why I SI 😉

LQinn profile image
LQinn

Fridge

e66-- profile image
e66-- in reply toLQinn

Thank you, I think the survey says fridge!

ACritical profile image
ACritical

I store my ampoules ( I bought in bulk) in the fridge. Hope they last longer that way.

e66-- profile image
e66-- in reply toACritical

Thank you for wise advice x

Callo56 profile image
Callo56

The GP surgery keeps them in the fridge but take them out in time for my jab because we discovered that if the ampoule was taken from the fridge and was injected immediately my arm was painful but if it was at room temperature I feel no pain.

e66-- profile image
e66-- in reply toCallo56

Thank you for kind response x

pitney profile image
pitney

keep mine in the fridge

e66-- profile image
e66-- in reply topitney

Thank you for taking time to answer x

fbirder profile image
fbirder

If you use hydroxocobalamin read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). Here's one - medicines.org.uk/emc/files/... Section 5 says...

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label

and carton after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not store above 25°C. Keep the ampoule in the outer carton in order to

protect from light.

If only part used, discard the remaining solution.

e66-- profile image
e66-- in reply tofbirder

Thank you for all your invaluable help. I will keep everything in fridge in the future even thought the leaflet they send says otherwise, no wonder we all get confused!

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toe66--

It's not confusing. Hydroxocobalamin doesn't need to be kept in the fridge. Nor does cyanocobalamin medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

But methylcobalamin needs to be refrigerated empowerpharmacy.com/drugs/m...

JohnnyZenith profile image
JohnnyZenith in reply tofbirder

Yes it is wholly confusing. What if every room in your house is above 25c.

e66-- profile image
e66--

Thanks again, even my nutty Aquarian brain can grasp that! Do you know when the German company will be trading with us again? It seems to be the most popular and trusted place. Do they only trade at certain times of year? Did first injection this morning, easy as pie. Hope all is well.

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