Is B12 given IM or SC?
Vitamin B12 is rapidly absorbed from intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) sites of injection; peak plasma concentrations are reached within 1 hour after IM injection. Distribution: Vitamin B12 is distributed into the liver, bone marrow, and other tissues, including the placenta.
Why is B12 administered intramuscularly?
Traditionally, vitamin B12 replacement has been administered intramuscularly because absorption through the gastrointestinal tract is deficient. However, this route is less convenient for patients than oral medication and may not be covered by health insurance.
Should patient on metformin therapy receive B12 supplementation?
Thus, annual injections of vit B12 (in a dose of 1 mg) given to every patient on long-term metformin therapy will be a more practical and cost-effective method. This method will ensure replenishment of vit B12 stores for at least 1 year. It will also obviate the need for annual screening of vit B12 levels.
Is B12 an IM injection?
This is usually given as an intramuscular injection, every 2-3 months. Alternatives to an intramuscular injection are: Oral Vitamin B12 at a dose of at least 1000mcg per day. It is important to monitor your symptoms if you change to oral B12.
What is B12 intramuscular?
Vitamin B12 Shots Are Very Effective Vitamin B12 shots are the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency. The injections are prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly, or into muscle. Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin.
How do you give an intramuscular B12 injection?
The injection site will be in the muscle directly below your two fingers. Think of a triangle and you will insert the needle in the center of the triangle. (Picture 4-D). Location of the bone at the top of the arm Injection site Page 6 The Angle of the needle: The needle must go into the skin at a 90° angle.
Can you take B12 and metformin together?
No interactions were found between metformin and Vitamin B12.
Should Type 2 diabetics take vitamin B12?
A B12 supplement can be helpful if you have type 2 diabetes and are deficient in the vitamin. People who take metformin for type 2 diabetes have lower levels of vitamin B12.
How does vitamin B12 affect metformin?
In another study, metformin dose had a negative relationship with vitamin B12 levels, and an increase of 1 mg in the daily metformin dose was associated with a 0.042 pg/mL decrease in vitamin B12 levels, but the duration of metformin use did not show significant effects.
Where do you inject intramuscular injections?
Intramuscular injections are often given in the following areas:Deltoid muscle of the arm. The deltoid muscle is the site most typically used for vaccines. ... Vastus lateralis muscle of the thigh. ... Ventrogluteal muscle of the hip. ... Dorsogluteal muscles of the buttocks.
Where should I inject B12?
For intramuscular injections, the common sites for B12 injections are the arm, upper buttocks, and thigh. Subcutaneous injections can be administered at the side or back of the upper arm, lower abdomen, and front of the thigh.
How do you give an intramuscular injection?
Hold the skin around where you will give the injection: With your free hand, gently press on and pull the skin so that it is slightly tight. Insert the needle into the muscle: Hold the syringe barrel tightly and use your wrist to inject the needle through the skin and into the muscle at a 90 degree angle.