Transdermal patches

[Fedup2020]

Has anyone used the b12 transdermal patches and if so are they any good?

Thanks.

[wedgewood]

I have P.A. . I tried the patches , and they were completely useless . I really persevered , as I had reached desperation point . Our resident scientist , fbirder , tells us that this is because the B12 molecule is just too large to pass through the skin . i also tried sublingual lozenges and nose/ mouth sprays . Also ineffectual for me . Weekly b12 injections are the only way . I’ll send you some information .

[DigitalCoeliac373]

I kindly disagree with @wedgewood. I’ve been using B12 patches (methylcobolamin 500 mcg) - for 4 years now, and they really seem to make a difference. I tend to put them on my stomach, away from any moisturiser etc. , and the effect of one or two patches is gladly felt for days. It’s all down to the individual, we’re all different. But reading the feedback under the best selling and moderately priced ones on Amazon and eBay, that don’t sound fake, others who use them as they genuinely need them (like us), seem fairly pleased with how they help them.

[fbirder]

It is impossible for them to work.

To get through the skin a molecule needs to be both lipophilic (fat-liking) and small, like nicotine. The B12 molecule is both hydrophilic (water-loving and fat-hating) and large.

Here's a picture of the two molecules together. You can see that nicotine is much smaller than B12. You can also see lots of oxygen atoms (red balls) on the B12 molecule. They all attract water, which makes it hydrophilic.

b12science.com/B12Science/D...

Various studies have been done on transdermal delivery of B12. The only way to get usable amounts across the skin is to either use iontophoresis (apply an electric current across the patch), or to use a patch full of tiny sugar needles, each filled with B12.

Just putting B12 powder onto a sticking plaster cannot work.

[IGraham]

I use them (Dr Davids mega patch) , weekly rather than daily as a top up in between my injections, they dont have me suddenly feeling like superman and there no instant 'feel the difference' but they dont do any harm and I'm (fingers crossed) doing OK