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Cyanocobalamin

Cyanocobalamin is a vitamin b12 (prescription), made by 18 manufacturers.

Type
Prescription
Drug class
Vitamin B12
Route
Intramuscular, Nasal, Subcutaneous
Manufacturers
18
+ 11 repackager labels

Cyanocobalamin is indicated for vitamin B 12 deficiencies due to malabsorption which may be associated with the following conditions: Addisonian (pernicious) anemia Gastrointestinal pathology, dysfunction, or surgery, including gluten enteropathy or sprue...

Drug facts

Name
Cyanocobalamin
Active ingredients
Cyanocobalamin
Drug class
Vitamin B12
Dosage forms
Injection, Injection, solution, Spray, Spray, metered
Label holder
Lifestar Pharma LLC
FDA application
ANDA217839
Label updated
09/02/2026

Uses

Cyanocobalamin is indicated for vitamin B 12 deficiencies due to malabsorption which may be associated with the following conditions: Addisonian (pernicious) anemia Gastrointestinal pathology, dysfunction, or surgery, including gluten enteropathy or sprue, small bowel bacteria overgrowth, total or partial gastrectomy Fish tapeworm infestation Malignancy of pancreas or bowel Folic acid deficiency It may be possible to treat the underlying disease by surgical correction of anatomic lesions leading to small bowel bacterial overgrowth, expulsion of fish tapeworm, discontinuation of drugs leading to vitamin malabsorption (see Drug Interactions), use of a gluten-free diet in nontropical sprue, or administration of antibiotics in tropical sprue. Such measures remove the need for long-term administration of cyanocobalamin. Requirements of vitamin B 12 in excess of normal (due to pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, malignancy, hepatic and renal disease) can usually be met with oral supplementation. Cyanocobalamin injection is also suitable for the vitamin B 12 absorption test (Schilling test).

Dosage and administration

Avoid using the intravenous route. Use of this product intravenously will result in almost all of the vitamin being lost in the urine. Pernicious Anemia: Parenteral vitamin B 12 is the recommended treatment and will be required for the remainder of the patient's life. The oral form is not dependable. A dose of 100 mcg daily for 6 or 7 days should be administered by intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injection. If there is clinical improvement and if a reticulocyte response is observed, the same amount may be given on alternate days for seven doses, then every 3 to 4 days for another 2 to 3 weeks. By this time hematologic values should have become normal. This regimen should be followed by 100 mcg monthly for life. Folic acid should be administered concomitantly if needed. Patients with Normal Intestinal Absorption: Where the oral route is not deemed adequate, initial treatment similar to that for patients with pernicious anemia may be indicated depending on the severity of the deficiency. Chronic treatment should be with an oral B 12 preparation. If other vitamin deficiencies are present, they should be treated. Schilling Test: The flushing dose is 1,000 mcg. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

Contraindications

Sensitivity to cobalt and/or vitamin B 12 is a contraindication.

Warnings

Patients with early Leber's disease (hereditary optic nerve atrophy) who were treated with cyanocobalamin suffered severe and swift optic atrophy. Hypokalemia and sudden death may occur in severe megaloblastic anemia which is treated intensely. Anaphylactic shock and death have been reported after parenteral vitamin B 12 administration. An intradermal test dose is recommended before cyanocobalamin injection is administered to patients suspected of being sensitive to this drug. This product contains Benzyl Alcohol. Benzyl Alcohol has been reported to be associated with a fatal "Gasping Syndrome" in premature infants. 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.

Precautions

General Precautions: Vitamin B 12 deficiency that is allowed to progress for longer than 3 months may produce permanent degenerative lesions of the spinal cord. Doses of folic acid greater than 0.1 mg per day may result in hematologic remission in patients with vitamin B 12 deficiency. Neurologic manifestations will not be prevented with folic acid, and if not treated with vitamin B 12, irreversible damage will result. Doses of cyanocobalamin exceeding 10 mcg daily may produce hematologic response in patients with folate deficiency. Indiscriminate administration may mask the true diagnosis. Information for Patients: Patients with pernicious anemia should be informed that they will require monthly injections of vitamin B 12 for the remainder of their lives. Failure to do so will result in return of the anemia and in development of incapacitating and irreversible damage to the nerves of the spinal cord. Also, patients should be warned about the danger of taking folic acid in place of vitamin B 12, because the former may prevent anemia but allow progression of subacute combined degeneration. A vegetarian diet which contains no animal products (including milk products or eggs) does not supply any vitamin B 12. Patients following such a diet, should be advised to take oral vitamin B 12 regularly. The need for vitamin B 12 is increased by pregnancy and lactation. Deficiency has been recognized in infants of vegetarian mothers who were breast fed, even though the mothers had no symptoms of deficiency at the time. Laboratory Tests: During the initial treatment of patients with pernicious anemia, serum potassium must be observed closely the first 48 hours and potassium replaced if necessary. Hematocrit, reticulocyte count, vitamin B 12, folate and iron levels should be obtained prior to treatment. Hematocrit and reticulocyte counts should be repeated daily from the fifth to seventh days of therapy and then frequently until the hematocrit is normal. If folate levels are low, folic acid should also be administered. If reticulocytes have not increased after treatment or if reticulocyte counts do not continue at least twice normal as long as the hematocrit is less than 35%, diagnosis or treatment should be reevaluated. Repeat determinations of iron and folic acid may reveal a complicating illness that might inhibit the response of the marrow. Patients with pernicious anemia have about 3 times the incidence of carcinoma of the stomach as the general population, so appropriate tests for this condition should be carried out when indicated. Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions: Persons taking most antibiotics, methotrexate and pyrimethamine invalidate folic acid and vitamin B 12 diagnostic blood assays. Colchicine para-aminosalicylic acid and heavy alcohol intake for longer than 2 weeks may produce malabsorption of vitamin B 12. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Long term studies in animals to evaluate carcinogenic potential have not been done. There is no evidence from long-term use in patients with pernicious anemia that cyanocobalamin is carcinogenic. Pernicious anemia is associated with an increased incidence of carcinoma of the stomach, but this is believed to be related to the underlying pathology and not to treatment with cyanocobalamin. Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Adequate and well-controlled studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, vitamin B 12 is an essential vitamin and requirements are increased during pregnancy. Amounts of vitamin B 12 that are recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Science-National Research Council for pregnant women (4 mcg daily) should be consumed during pregnancy. Nursing Mothers: Vitamin B 12 is known to be excreted in human milk. Amounts of vitamin B 12 that are recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Science-National Research Council for lactating women (4 mcg daily) should be consumed during lactation. Pediatric Use: Intake in children should be in the amount (0.5 to 3 mcg daily) recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Science-National Research Council.

Side effects (adverse reactions)

Generalized: Anaphylactic shock and death have been reported with administration of parenteral vitamin B 12 (see WARNINGS). Cardiovascular: Pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure early in treatment; peripheral vascular thrombosis. Hematological: Polycythemia vera Gastrointestinal: Mild transient diarrhea Dermatological: Itching; transitory exanthema Miscellaneous: Feeling of swelling of entire body To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lifestar Pharma LLC at 1-888-995-4337 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Overdose

No overdosage has been reported with this drug.

Description

Cyanocobalamin injection, USP is a sterile solution of cyanocobalamin for intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. Each mL contains 1,000 mcg cyanocobalamin. Each vial also contains Sodium Chloride, 0.50%. Benzyl Alcohol, 1.5%, is present as a preservative. Sodium acetate and glacial acetic acid are present as buffer. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been added during manufacture to adjust the pH (range 4.5-7.0). Cyanocobalamin appears as dark red crystals or as an amorphous or crystalline red powder. It is very hygroscopic in the anhydrous form, and sparingly soluble in water (1:80). The vitamin B 12 coenzymes are very unstable in light. The chemical name is 5,6-dimethyl-benzimidazolyl cyanocobamide; the molecular formula is C 63 H 88 CoN 14 O 14 P. The cobalt content is 4.34%. The molecular weight is 1355.39. The structural formula is represented below. structure

How supplied

Cyanocobalamin injection, USP 1,000 mcg/mL is a red color solution, and is supplied as follows: NDC 70756-635-10 1 mL Multiple-Dose Vial Carton of 10 Vials NDC 70756-635-25 1 mL Multiple-Dose Vial Carton of 25 Vials NDC 70756-636-10 10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial Carton of 10 Vials NDC 70756-636-25 10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial Carton of 25 Vials NDC 70756-637-88 30 mL Multiple-Dose Vial Carton of 1 Vial NDC 70756-637-05 30 mL Multiple-Dose Vial Carton of 5 Vials NDC 70756-637-10 30 mL Multiple-Dose Vial Carton of 10 Vials Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. PROTECT THE PRODUCT FROM LIGHT. Manufactured for: Lifestar Pharma LLC 1200 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430 USA Product of France Revised: January 2025, V-03

Forms and strengths

From the FDA NDC Directory · 50 product codes

Dosage formStrengthRouteNDCs
Injection1000 ug/mLintramuscular, subcutaneous20
Injection, solution1000 ug/mLintramuscular28
Spray500 ugnasal1
Spray, metered500 ugnasal1

What pharmacies pay

National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), week of 10/21/2026

All prices

NADAC lists 27 package codes for this drug, priced in different units.

NADAC is a survey of what retail pharmacies pay to buy a drug. It is not the price you pay at the counter, which depends on your insurance and the pharmacy.

Side effect reports to FDA

FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), 32,747 reports that list cyanocobalamin, data through 07/30/2026

Anyone can report a problem to FDA, and a report does not mean the drug caused the problem. Reports can be duplicated or incomplete, and counts depend on how widely a drug is used. Do not stop or change a medicine because of this list. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Most often reported reactions

  • Fatigue3,333
  • Nausea2,738
  • Off label use2,455
  • Headache2,382
  • Pain2,218
  • Diarrhea2,202
  • Drug ineffective2,183
  • Dyspnea2,107
  • Vomiting1,803
  • Arthralgia1,778

To report a side effect, use FDA MedWatch.

Manufacturers and labels

34 FDA labels · 11 from repackagers

  • Lifestar Pharma LLCShown hereANDA217839 · Label 08/06/2026 · NDC 70756-635, 70756-636, 70756-637Full label
  • American Regent, Inc.ANDA080737 · Label 10/31/2023 · NDC 0517-0031, 0517-0032, 0517-0130Full label
  • AuroMedics Pharma LLCANDA213874 · Label 03/10/2022 · NDC 55150-364Full label
  • BluePoint LaboratoriesANDA217839 · Label 12/05/2025 · NDC 68001-640Full label
  • Fresenius Kabi USA, LLCANDA080557 · Label 12/15/2024 · NDC 63323-044Full label
  • Fresenius Kabi USA, LLCANDA080557 · Label 12/12/2024 · NDC 63323-044Full label
  • Gland Pharma LimitedANDA214390 · Label 11/02/2022 · NDC 68083-449, 68083-561, 68083-562Full label
  • Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.ANDA080515 · Label 12/01/2023 · NDC 0143-9619, 0143-9621, 0143-9620Full label
  • Lupin Pharmaceuticals,Inc.ANDA210629 · Label 08/24/2023 · NDC 43386-237Full label
  • Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.ANDA214316 · Label 06/12/2025 · NDC 71288-300Full label
  • Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.ANDA214316 · Label 11/22/2024 · NDC 71288-300, 71288-301, 71288-302Full label
  • Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.ANDA214390 · Label 06/03/2024 · NDC 71288-303Full label
  • Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.ANDA214390 · Label 04/29/2022 · NDC 71288-303Full label
  • NorthStar RxLLCANDA217839 · Label 08/06/2026 · NDC 72603-650Full label
  • Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals LtdANDA212458 · Label 02/28/2023 · NDC 45802-491Full label
  • Plano Pharmaceuticals Inc.ANDA214390 · Label 03/25/2026 · NDC 87188-111, 87188-112, 87188-113Full label
  • SOLA PharmaceuticalsANDA215417 · Label 12/08/2025 · NDC 70512-840Full label
  • Sagent PharmaceuticalsANDA215107 · Label 02/15/2023 · NDC 25021-502Full label
  • Somerset Therapeutics, LLCANDA206503 · Label 09/04/2025 · NDC 70069-005, 70069-172Full label
  • Somerset Therapeutics, LLCANDA209429 · Label 08/29/2025 · NDC 70069-171Full label
  • Vitruvias TherapeuticsANDA209255 · Label 12/20/2024 · NDC 69680-112, 69680-113, 69680-121Full label
  • Zydus Lifesciences LimitedANDA214655 · Label 04/19/2022 · NDC 70771-1688, 70771-1689, 70771-1690Full label
  • Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.ANDA214655 · Label 04/25/2022 · NDC 70710-1663, 70710-1664, 70710-1665Full label
Repackager labels (11)
  • A-S Medication Solutions01/06/2026
  • Asclemed USA, Inc.10/03/2023
  • Asclemed USA, Inc.10/12/2022
  • Asclemed USA, Inc.07/08/2021
  • HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst09/02/2026
  • HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst01/08/2025
  • HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst04/10/2024
  • HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst01/30/2024
  • Henry Schein, Inc.10/16/2025
  • Henry Schein, Inc.09/10/2025
  • Sportpharm LLC02/05/2026

Related recalls

FDA drug recalls that name this drug or its active ingredient

All drug recalls

Cyanocobalamin: common questions

What is Cyanocobalamin used for?
Cyanocobalamin is indicated for vitamin B 12 deficiencies due to malabsorption which may be associated with the following conditions: Addisonian (pernicious) anemia Gastrointestinal pathology, dysfunction, or surgery, including gluten enteropathy or sprue...
What are the side effects of Cyanocobalamin?
Generalized: Anaphylactic shock and death have been reported with administration of parenteral vitamin B 12 (see WARNINGS). See the full side effects section on this page, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about any side effect that bothers you.
Is Cyanocobalamin a prescription drug?
Yes. Cyanocobalamin is a prescription (Rx) drug.
Are there other products with the same active ingredient as Cyanocobalamin?
Yes. Other FDA-listed products with the same active ingredients include Nascobal, Non-proprietary name.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, openFDA drug label (SPL) and NDC Directory · Last updated 09/02/2026 · Label text is shown as published by the manufacturer. Not medical advice