Hi!
My new doctor seemed very concerned that I am injecting hydroxycobalamin sub-cutaneously. She insisted hydroxy should always be given IM though she didn’t give a good reason. The pharmacy that makes the shots up for me instructed me to inject subcutaneously. Any reason I shouldn’t continue to inject as I have been?
If suspended in saline then there isn't anything that would contraindicate subcutaneous use.Go with what the pharmacy says - they are more likely to be aware of contraindications than your GP because of the nature of their work.
I do it sc.On the boxes I buy from Germany it says IM and SC
Just not licenced in the UK for sc.
Nog sure why as I'm sure originally sc was used.
Then changed yo IM assuming it woujd last longer .
I've actually not found this unfortunately as have had both over thd last 2 years
I suspect that the GP is just reading the notes/BNF (all power to her for at least doing this!) and is advising you in accordance with this, rather than using any knowledge to know that it is OK to do it "off label".
There are hundreds, if not thousands, who inject hydroxocobalamin SC without any issues but she is unlikely to know this. If it works for you then I see no reason to change. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
I think the poster not in the UK.As I can't think of pharmacy's making up the shots here?
Yes I'm prescribed 'off licence ' to inject subcutaneously.
Still glad to read it on the b12 box from Germany though !
Yes, I noted your comment about that with interest.
Thank you for all your help and great contributions.
You're right Nackapan. I am in the US and I have been getting injections pre-made for many months. I am done with them now, though, and am moving to use the ampoules I got from Germany next time. The pre-filled injectiions are very handy but very expensive and they expire in 30 days so they are not my first choice. Hoping these that I imported work just as well. Thanks to everyone Wedgewood, Gambit, Denise who replied to my query. As someone noted, it is nice that this doctor is somewhat B12 literate. She did question my use of hydroxy versus methyl as well, but I just let her know that the methy did not agree with me and she accepted that (with reservation). She is the most B12 literate doctor I have come across.
All the B12 depot ampoules that we Self-injectors get from reputable laboratories in Germany , are labelled as being suitable for Intravenous , ,intramuscular AND subcutaneous injections. The Germans have good reputations regarding anything medical , so I’m sure that it’s absolutely fine to inject B12 sub-cutaneously . Also we hear good reports from members on this forum about that method .
IM injections
Needle sizes for sub cutaneous injecting. 
Bit of a success with frequency of B12 injections 
