Preservatives in B12 injections - does frequency matter?

[Cobalt1312]

Hi all, I'm hoping for some insight about what effect the preservatives in different B12 injections have (or don't have) on us.

I know I've heard some members of the PAS from the U.S. talk about the hydroxocobalamin administered in the States as having a lot of parabens, with the insinuation that they are bad news.

My cyanocobalamin was recently switched to a different brand that I believe may have slightly more aluminum in it, and I'm wondering if this is a cause for concern? I know there are members here who inject every other day, every day, or some maybe even more.

If you are someone who injects every other day, daily or more than daily, are you bothered by the preservatives in your B12 injections? I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences and insights! Thank you so much for your help

[helvella]

Regarding aluminium in B12, have a read of this thread:

Aluminium in Hydroxocobalamin?

No. There is no detectable aluminium in any injectable B12.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[Cobalt1312 in reply to helvella]

helvella thank you so much! So my new Rx says "contains no more than 300mcg/L of aluminum" - I'm not great at math, but L is 1,000x more than mL correct? And 1 mL of B12 is 1,000 mcg?

To be clear, this is an extremely low amount that shouldn't affect my health? Partly I ask because when I saw the aluminum warning on this new ampoule (which was not even listed on my last brand, nor mentioned when I spoke to a pharmacist about what preservatives where in it) I had a moment of panic and I tried to look up the details.

The previous brand I was prescribed is West-Ward, and the new one is Mfd. by: UBI Pharma, Inc.

Information I found for the West-Ward brand had a WARNINGS section for their injectable B12 with a statement (fda.report/DailyMed/a66eb3c...) that said:

"This product contains aluminum that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired.

Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum.

Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum at levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration."

So, I 'm not saying I have kidney issues, but it's not exactly reassuring to read that, haha.

[helvella in reply to Cobalt1312]

It probably contains far, far less than that. Even to the point of being undetectable.

It's just that they have to make a statement.

[Cobalt1312 in reply to helvella]

Thank you so much!! I'm super sensitive to preservatives (in drugs and foods) so I'm just trying to figure out what might affect me and why. Your responses are so helpful, thank you again!

[GoneWithTheWind1972]

Hi,

I self inject daily with Methylcobalamin. I receive a small vial in the mail which arrives in a powder form and I add saline solution (which I purchase from the pharmacy). I also purchase insulin needles (from pharmacy) and inject appropriately 1ml into my stomach. I also take folic acid (specifically Methyl Folate) daily. I began using Methyl B12 in August 2021. I hope I’m on the slow road to recovery, even though I have Small Fibre Neuropathy as a result of insufficient doses of Hydroxocobalamin that I given by a nurse every three months. I need this Methyl B12 daily. I pray that I don’t have any long term damage to my body. Walking, burning pains in my feet and consistently sharp pains are still with me to this day. My GP mentioned that it may take about two to three years for the small fibres to repair themselves. My only regret today is, that if I had the knowledge of PA and the complications that it could cause me at the time I was diagnosed with PA, I may not have been in so much pain as I am today. Now I am much more knowledgeable and when I see my GP he is surprised by how much I know now. In conclusion, I’m still trying to understand how PA causes so much damage throughout the body.

Best of luck to all PA patients

[Cobalt1312 in reply to GoneWithTheWind1972]

Thank you for sharing GoneWithTheWind1972, I really appreciate hearing your experiences and your injecting protocol. Though of course I wish that you didn't have the small fiber neuropathy to struggle with. It is really hard that pernicious anemia (and B12 deficiency) seem to be so little known about or understood by many medical professionals, despite the fact that earlier on, discoveries about it seemed to be on the cutting edge of medical expertise. I'm so glad your current GP seems a little more knowledgable - I am literally the first and only patient my GP has had with PA - She does quite a good job listening to me, but I am educating her about the disease, not the other way around. Sending you lots of hugs!