If the methylcobalamin I obtained online from abroad was not refrigerated by the manufacturer before I bought it, is it still viable?

[e66--]

I bought my B12 shots from Vitaminquick and B12 online, but neither seem to refrigerate their stores. I have now put them in the fridge. Are they still going to be of some benefit? In future I will buy the types that can be stored in a cool cupboard to avoid this problem. But shall I still go ahead and use the ones I have bought? Will they be of any benefit? Sorry for banging on about this, I just need a little more confirmation.

Many thanks to whomever is kind enough to spare the time to reply.

[fbirder]

Nobody can tell. Well, that's not quite true. I could tell, but I'd need my mass spectrometer.

The manufacturers say it should be stored below 5 C. They normally have a good reason for these instructions.

However, methylcobalamin is aqueous solution is most likely to go off to hydroxocobalamin. If so, it wouldn't alter the efficacy too much.

[e66-- in reply to fbirder]

Thank you so much. Nice to know it's not just a complete waste of money. But now the German site is accepting from the UK again I shall make a bulk order from there to be on the safe side. You have been extremely kind and helpful.

[dianewilson1900]

I belong to a PA facebook group and asked the exact same thing. The administer siad no, no refriderarion necessary. If it needed it, it would come like my insulin comes in the mail with a cold pack and it would say refrigeration is necessary. They said B 12 can be kept at room temperature for months. Put seran wrap over the top of the bottle and keep it away from light. They said not to refrigerate it. Directions say discard after 30 days aftwr puncturing the bottle and I had grave concerns about this, but they said it will be fine for several months at room temperature.

[e66-- in reply to dianewilson1900]

Thank you for your kind reply. As long as what I'm using has some benefits I'm happy! Have lovely weekend.

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to dianewilson1900]

Dianewilson1900 / e66-- Might be a bit of confusion here...

Hydroxocobalamin does not need refrigeration.

Methylcobalamin does...and suppliers rarely send in a cold pack (as per insulin)...though they should...so always better to check.

Also note: the Facebook group are wrong to suggest that a multi-dose bottle of B12 will be fine for several months. Multi-dose bottles should be discarded 30 days after the first injection has been withdrawn - as per the manufacturers' instructions. Manufacturers state this because the anti-bacterials in the multi-dose bottles are only effective for 30 days - after that there is a greater chance of the B12 becoming contaminated - this risk is increased because the multi-dose bottle is no longer sterile once the first injection has been withdrawn, and the risk of potential contamination increases every time another dose is withdrawn - hence the importance of the anti-bacterial and the 30 day rule.

So please do dispose of multi-dose bottle 30 days after the first injection has been withdrawn.

It's always better to use single dose ampoules of B12 for injection.

Sorry to say but some of the Facebook groups are not always as accurate as they should be 🤦‍♀️.

[dianewilson1900 in reply to Foggyme]

Ok thats fair. 💜💙❤

[fbirder in reply to dianewilson1900]

I would ignore everything in that Facebook group.