Cyanocobalamin : Advice needed please... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,627 members23,989 posts

Cyanocobalamin

Pixielula profile image
18 Replies

Advice needed please

So I usually buy and use hydroxy ampoules, I bought a new box of ampoules a couple of months ago and I have just discovered they are cyanocobalamin 🤦‍♀️ Will I be ok to use these, and what is the difference between the two?

Written by
Pixielula profile image
Pixielula
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
fbirder profile image
fbirder

Yes, it will be fine to use them. Cyanocobalamin is just as safe, and just as effective, as hydroxocobalamin. The only difference is that cyanocobalamin seem to be cleared from the body faster, so you may need to inject more frequently than you’re used to.

Some people are worried about the cyanide in cyanocobalamin. While it is true that it can produce hydrogen cyanide, the amount from one injection is very small. Indeed, it is less than one-fiftieth the amount that can be produced from a single passion fruit!

Pixielula profile image
Pixielula in reply tofbirder

Thank you for the reassurance, I did think it would be ok as I’m sure I read somewhere that’s the most commonly used in the USA? It’s tricky when your trying to order on a German site.... I once managed to order a load of B1 and had to throw it away 🤦‍♀️

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply toPixielula

As fbirder says - it's perfectly safe - I've been on cyanocobamalin for over 49 years and I'm still "clivealive" coming up to 80 years of age.

I wish you well

Pixielula profile image
Pixielula in reply toclivealive

Thank you Clive for the reassurance ....

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden in reply toclivealive

Hi Clive!

Lovely to hear you're still OK.

Thank you for all your help and encouragement over the years - and it struck me it's obviously quite a few years now as I remember you were only 73 or thereabouts when I first joined!

All the best to you, especially for your approaching "big" birthday!

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply todeniseinmilden

Thank you deniseinmilden - yes next month I become an "oxygenarian" (or something similarly unpronounceable) which hopefully will improve my breathing :) :) :)

God bless and keep you safe ❤️

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden in reply toclivealive

😁😁😁Thank you for all the pun fun and similar!

God bless you too! ❤️👍

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply todeniseinmilden

Reciprocated deniseinmilden to you

Pixielula profile image
Pixielula in reply toclivealive

I joined when you were Clive alive at 75, so very pleased you are now actively chasing down 80.......

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply toPixielula

Ha Ha Pixielula thanks. I think it's more catching me up :)

I guess now I shall have to think of a new rhyme to go with eighty matey :)

I wish you well and God Bless

Pixielula profile image
Pixielula

Just did my first cyanocobalamin injection, hubby is home today “just in case” I only got the 1ml as well not the normal 2ml 😁

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon

I have taken all three. Although many feel no difference at all, I felt a marked difference between cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin and methylcobalamin.

But I also don't give much credence to my results either - besides hydroxocobalamin lasting longer, which is a fact - as I believe every body can process and react differently.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon

I have an off topic question -

My GFR has taken a hit. A big drop. And I have one kidney. Although I do not think it is the cyanocobalamin at all, there is no explanation so far.

So I have switched to hydroxocobalamin to err on the side of caution.

If I go back and forth between the two would the hydroxocobalamin counteract the cyanide in cyanocobalamin at all?

**Once again I do not have an issue with cyanocobalamin.**

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toLitatamon

As I said before, the cyanide you'll get from 1000 mcg of cyanocobalamin is minute -just 20 mcg.

That's the same amount as you'll get from seven apple seeds, 10 mL of prune juice or one-fiftieth of a passion fruit.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply tofbirder

I understand that. And I know it is a fact.

But that wasn't my question.

My question was if I add cyanocobalamin back in with hydroxocobalamin will the hydroxocobalamin have any effect on the miniscule amount of cyanide?

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toLitatamon

Hydroxocobalamin is used to remove cyanide from the blood of people who have cyanide poisoning. So I guess it could reduce the amount of cyanide in your blood from almost nothing to a little bit less than almost nothing.

Cyanide is in the blood normally (there are a hell of a lot of normal chemicals that contain cyanide). In humans the normal level is about 2 mcg per mL - sciencedirect.com/topics/ne....

If a 1000 mcg injection of cyanocobalamin can produce 20 mcg of cyanide. And, if that 20 mcg of cyanide is distributed evenly throughout the 5 L of blood, then it will raise the level of cyanide by 0.004 mcg per mL.

Injecting 1000 mcg of cyanocobalamin will raise your blood cyanide level by no more than 0.2%.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply tofbirder

"So I guess it could reduce the amount of cyanide in your blood from almost nothing to a little bit less than almost nothing."

Sublime. Laughing.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toLitatamon

Another thought just struck me.

If there is 20 mcg/mL of cyanide in a normal person's blood, and 1 molecule of hydroxocobalamin can neutralise 1 molecule of cyanide then 1000 mcg of hydroxocobalamin can neutralise 20 mcg of cyanide.*

The hydroxocobalamin will remove the cyanide from 1 mL of your blood.

No wonder they need to give such high doses for cyanide poisoning.

*B12 has a molecular weight of 1355, so 1000 mcg = 0.74 micromoles.

CN has a molecular weight of 26, so 0.74 micromoles has a mass of 20 mcg.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Cyanocobalamin Tablets

Hi I have been having B12 injections for many years now and have them every 10 weeks. Obviously...

Cyanocobalamin

Hi, can anybody tell me if its ok to use cyanocobalamin? I have been prescribed hydroxocobalamin by...
Weewull profile image

Cyanocobalamin.

Hi all , I can't seem to purchase my normal b12 supply of hydroxo from versandapo but they have...
Teloch profile image

Cyanocobalamin

Hi, I have just been informed by my GP surgery that Cyanocobalamin injections, which I have 4...
Syuri profile image

B12 germany

As anybody wondered whether revealing they buy b12 ampoules from abroad are being exposed to the...

Moderation team

See all
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.