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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Vitamin

Hydroxocobalamin (B12)

Long-acting injectable form of B12 — used clinically for deficiency and cyanide poisoning.

Energy ProductionGeneral Wellness

Overview

Long-acting injectable form of B12 — used clinically for deficiency and cyanide poisoning.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Forms & variants of Vitamin B12

      Different chemical forms of Vitamin B12 behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

      Parent
      Vitamin B12

      Essential cobalamin for methylation, red blood cell formation, and myelin maintenance.

      Methylcobalamin
      Methylcobalamin (B12)

      Active methyl-form of B12 — directly usable in the methylation cycle.

      Adenosylcobalamin
      Adenosylcobalamin (B12)

      Mitochondrial coenzyme form of B12 — partners with methylcobalamin for full B12 status.

      Mechanism of action

      Body converts to methyl- and adenosyl- forms as needed; binds free cyanide.

      Pathways
      • · Cyanide chelation
      • · B12 storage form

      Effects on the body

      Organ system effects

      Evidence-based benefits

      Cyanide antidote (Cyanokit)

      Strong evidence

      Long retention for monthly dosing

      Strong evidence

      Potential side effects

      Common
      • · Injection-site pain
      Rare
      • · Red urine (harmless)
      Serious

        Drug interactions

        No notable interactions reported.

        Supplement interactions

        Pairs well with

        None listed.

        Avoid combining with

        No specific avoidances listed.

        Dosing & bioavailability

        Typical dose
        1 mg IM monthly (medical)
        With food?
        N/A

        Where to buy

        Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

        Vitamin
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        Amazon
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        iHerb
        Global delivery · curated brands
        Vitamin
        Hydroxocobal…
        Thorne
        Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

        Scientific evidence (9)

        Systematic reviewAnn Emerg Med · 2007

        Hydroxocobalamin for cyanide poisoning and B12 deficiency

        Borron SW, et al.

        Review of hydroxocobalamin in cyanide toxicity.

        Key findings

        First-line antidote with strong safety profile.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — Cyanide antidote

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Hydroxocobalamin (B12) Cyanide antidote" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Hydroxocobalamin (B12) and "Cyanide antidote". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — Long retention for monthly dosing

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Hydroxocobalamin (B12) Long retention for monthly dosing" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Hydroxocobalamin (B12) and "Long retention for monthly dosing". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — randomized controlled trial

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Hydroxocobalamin (B12) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Hydroxocobalamin (B12) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — meta-analysis

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Hydroxocobalamin (B12) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Hydroxocobalamin (B12) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — pharmacokinetics

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Hydroxocobalamin (B12) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Hydroxocobalamin (B12) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — safety adverse events

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Hydroxocobalamin (B12) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Hydroxocobalamin (B12) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

        PubMed: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — dose response

        Live PubMed search

        Live results for "Hydroxocobalamin (B12) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

        Key findings

        Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Hydroxocobalamin (B12) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

        Open study
        Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

        Google Scholar: Hydroxocobalamin (B12) — clinical evidence

        Live Scholar search

        Cross-database citation index for Hydroxocobalamin (B12) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

        Key findings

        Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

        Open study
        Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.