Ingredients of B12 injections

[ustgarad]

Does anyone know the full list of ingredients of a B12 injection. I'm concerned there may be animal ingredients or something dodgy. So if anyone has seen the vials with a list of ingredients I'd be pleased to hear from them.

Many thanks,

Simon

[wedgewood]

I use Rotexmedica B12 Depot. Hydroxocobalamin.

The ampoules contain 1mg Hydroxocobalamin , which is made by producing bacteria in a laboratory ( no animal products used) You can look up online how this is made . plus

Saline solution , sodium acetate , sodium chloride ( salt) and acetic acid (vinegar)

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The ingredients will change slightly depending on the exact product used but generally they will be saline and stabilisers. I can't imagine that any of the stabilisers would actually be animal products

The B12 itself will be made by bacteria in vats and is going to be the closest thing to an animal product in a B12 injection.

If you are concerned and have the injections at a surgery you should talk to the nurse who will be able to get the list of ingredients for you.

[fbirder]

You can get the full list of ingredients from the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the vials. Ask the nurse to show it to you.

Just about every B12 I've looked at (and I've looked at a few) contains B12, water, salt and vinegar. The way they describe the mix can change, but various combinations of - hydroxocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin acetate, hydroxocobalamin chloride, sodium chloride, sodium acetate, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, glacial acetic acid and water - all end up producing the same result.

There is nothing produced from animals and nothing dodgy.

[Nackapan]

I have been given Hydroxocobalamin 1mg/ml Gerot Lannach pharmacy

Other ingredients; sodium hydroxide,glacial acetic acid,sodium chloride and water.

Nhs at surgery

There are many sorts.

[Spain65]

Totally synthetic B12 used in UK. No animal products at all. I am vegetarian so checked first.

[D9d9]

Sodium Hydroxide. Surely this ingredient isnt good to have in your body?

[helvella in reply to D9d9]

They don't put crystals of pure sodium hydroxide in! They use tiny, tiny amounts to adjust the pH of the liquid.

(I don't know for sure if they do this for hydroxocobalamin, in some medicines, both an acid and an alkali are listed but they might only use one of them to get the pH right.)

Sodium hydroxide is already an ingredient of many things we use - like much soap (as in bars) and detergents, and some mains water supplies.