Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Research Hub — Aggregated Studies
MedTech Research Group aggregates published research from peer-reviewed journals, clinical trials, and academic institutions. We do not conduct original research. All studies cited below are the work of their respective authors and institutions. Sources are linked for verification.
This product is designated FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY (RUO). These compounds have not been approved or cleared under 21 U.S.C. § 505 and have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or labeling for clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic use in humans or animals.
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Distribution is limited to qualified research use in compliance with applicable federal and state law. These products bear the "For Research Use Only" designation per FDA labeling requirements (minimum 10 pt. font). Ref: 21 U.S.C. § 505; FD&C Act § 201(p) (unapproved new drug definition).
| Risk Tier | GREEN |
| Category | Vitamin / Nutrient |
| Subcategory | Essential Vitamin Supplementation |
| Pharmacological Class | Vitamin |
| Subclass | Cobalamin (Water-Soluble B-Vitamin) |
| Molecular Type | Organometallic compound (corrin ring with cobalt center; specific form varies — cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin, or hydroxocobalamin) |
| Origin | Synthetic — identical to or derived from endogenous vitamin B12 (produced in nature exclusively by bacteria and archaea) |
| Regulatory Status | FDA-approved for B12 deficiency, pernicious anemia, and other indications. Well-established pharmaceutical product. |
| Route of Administration | Intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection |
| Reconstitution | Provided in liquid solution (pre-reconstituted); ready for injection |
| Storage | Room temperature (15-30°C); protect from light |
Chemical Properties
| Molecular Formula | C63H89CoN14O14P |
| Molecular Weight | 1356.4 g/mol |
| Exact Mass | 1355.575224 Da |
| InChI Key | AGVAZMGAQJOSFJ-WZHZPDAFSA-M |
| Synonyms |
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| PubChem | View full record |
Source: NCBI PubChem — public domain data
2D structure diagram from NCBI PubChem. This is the actual molecular structure of Vitamin B12.
Description
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble essential vitamin that plays critical roles in DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, neurological function, and methyl group metabolism. It is the largest and most structurally complex vitamin, built around a corrin ring with a central cobalt atom — the only vitamin containing a metal ion. In human metabolism, B12 serves as a cofactor for two essential enzymes: (1) Methionine synthase (cytoplasmic) — which catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine using methylcobalamin as the methyl donor and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) as the methyl source; this reaction is critical for SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) regeneration and for preventing toxic homocysteine accumulation; and (2) Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (mitochondrial) — which converts methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA using adenosylcobalamin; this reaction is essential for the metabolism of odd-chain fatty acids and certain branched-chain amino acids.
B12 deficiency manifests in two primary systems: hematological (megaloblastic anemia — impaired DNA synthesis leads to abnormally large, dysfunctional red blood cell precursors) and neurological (subacute combined degeneration — demyelination of the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms). Neurological damage from B12 deficiency can be irreversible if not treated promptly. Injectable B12 is the standard treatment for pernicious anemia (autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells and intrinsic factor, rendering oral B12 absorption impossible) and for patients with malabsorption syndromes or following bariatric surgery.
Clinical Context
Injectable B12 is one of the most commonly prescribed injectable nutrients in clinical practice. Beyond treating frank deficiency, B12 injections are widely used in wellness, functional medicine, and energy optimization protocols. The injectable route ensures 100% bioavailability, bypassing the complex absorption process that requires intrinsic factor, gastric acid, and ileal receptor-mediated endocytosis. The 10ml multi-dose vial at $27.72 provides a cost-effective supply for repeated injections. B12 is water-soluble with no established toxicity at high doses — excess is excreted renally.
- FDA-approved and extensively safety-characterized — one of the safest injectable products available
- No known toxicity at any dose — water-soluble, excess excreted renally
- Pernicious anemia requires lifelong injectable B12 (oral supplementation is ineffective due to lack of intrinsic factor)
- Serum B12 levels can be misleading — methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine are more sensitive markers of functional B12 status
- Hypokalemia can occur when treating severe B12 deficiency (rapid reticulocytosis increases potassium uptake by new red blood cells) — monitor potassium in severely deficient patients
- Rarely, anaphylaxis has been reported with injectable B12 (extremely rare)
- Multi-dose 10ml vial — use aseptic technique and discard per institutional policy
- Most common adverse effect: injection site pain (IM > SC)
Published Research
Published Research & Clinical Data
Peer-reviewed studies and clinical trial data related to Vitamin B12
All research below is conducted by independent institutions. MedTech Research Group provides these references for informational purposes only.
Research citations are being compiled for this compound.
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