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Drug Class Description
Vitamin B (B12 vitamins).Generic Name
CyanocobalaminDrug Description
Cyanocobalamin 1.0mgPresentation
Solution for injection.Indications
Addisonian pernicious anaemia. Prophylaxis and treatment of other macrocytic anaemias associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Schilling test. Not indicated for treatment of toxic amblyopias - use Neo-Cytamen.Adult Dosage
Route of administration: intramuscular.
Adults and Children
Addisonian pernicious anaemia and other macrocytic anaemias without neurological involvement:
Initially: 250 to 1000mcg intramuscularly on alternate days for one to two weeks, then 250mcg weekly until the blood count is normal.
Maintenance: 1000mcg monthly.
Addisonian pernicious anaemia and other macrocytic anaemias with neurological complications:
Initially: 1000mcg intramuscularly on alternate days as long as improvement is occurring.
Maintenance: 1000mcg monthly.
Prophylaxis of macrocytic anaemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency resulting from gastrectomy, some malabsorption syndromes and strict vegetarianism:
250mcg - 1000mcg monthly.
Schilling Test:
An intramuscular injection of 1000mcg cyanocobalamin is an essential part of this test.
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity to cyanocobalamin or any other constitutents.
Cytomen should not be used for the treatment of megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy unless vitamin B12 deficiency has been demonstrated.
Not indicated for treatment of toxic amblyopias - use Neo-Cytamen.
Special Precautions
Precautions:
The dosage schemes given above are usually satisfactory, but regular examination of the blood is advisable. If megaloblastic anaemia fails to respond to Cytamen, folate metabolism should be investigated. Doses in excess of 10mcg daily may produce an incomplete haematological response in patients with folate deficiency. Indiscriminate administration may mask the true diagnosis. The haematological and neurological state should be monitored regularly to ensure adequacy of therapy. Cardiac arrhythmias secondary to hypokalaemia during initial therapy have been reported. Plasma potassium should therefore be monitored during this period. Platelet count should be monitored during the first weeks of use in megaloblastic anaemia due to the possible occurrence of reactive thrombocytosis.
Interactions
Chloramphenicol-treated patients may respond poorly to Cytamen. Serum concentrations of cyanocobalamin may be lowered by oral contraceptives but this interaction is unlikely to have clinical significance.
Antimetabolites and most antibiotics invalidate vitamin B12 assays by microbiological techniques.
Adverse Reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported including skin reactions (e.g. rash, itching) and exceptionally anaphylaxis. Other symptoms reported include fever, chills, hot flushing, dizziness, malaise, nausea, acneiform and bullous eruptions, tremor and injection site reactions including injection site pain, injection site induration and injection site necrosis. Reactive thrombocytosis can occur during the first weeks of use in megaloblastic anaemia
Manufacturer
UCB Pharma LimitedDrug Availability
(POM)Updated
06 May 2009