Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a big role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system and also for the formation of blood. It comes from animal products, such as meat and dairy products. The typical western diet contains 5 to 7mcg of vitamin B12 daily. Vitamin B12, is absorbed through the last part of your small intestine. Vitamin B12 supplementation, which is used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency, is available as an oral medication, an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, or a nasal spray.
Medication Preparation
Step 1
Take your vitamin B12 prescription to the pharmacy of your choice and get it filled. Your dose of medication depends on whether it is an initial dose or a maintenance dose. According to Drug information Online, the initial dose of vitamin B12 is 30 mcg/day for 5 to 10 days and the maintenance dose is 100 to 200mcg/month.
Step 2
Read the label on the vial of medication. Verify that it is the correct medication with the correct amount of medicine. Verify the expiration date.
Step 3
Compare administration directions to prescription directions.
Syringe Preparation
Step 1
Wash your hands with soap and water. This reduces the risk of bacterial contamination.
Step 2
Put on gloves if desired for self administration. If you are giving the injection to someone else, then gloves are necessary to reduce risk of contracting blood-borne pathogens.
Step 3
Attach the needle to the syringe.
Step 4
Remove the plastic or metal top from the vial and clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol wipe. This action removes any bacteria that may be on the stopper.
Step 5
Pull the syringe plunger back to the amount of medication that you plan to administer.
Step 6
Insert the needle into the vial and push down on the plunger. The air that is injected into the vial displaces the amount of medication to be administered. Turn the vial upside down and pull back on the plunger, measuring out the correct amount of medication.
Step 7
Remove the needle from the vial and place the cover back on the needle.
Vitamin B12 Administration
Step 1
Choose the site where the B12 injection will be given and clean it with an alcohol swab. The site should be one that is easily reached with both hands if you are self administering the medication.
Step 2
Take the cover off the needle and hold it in your dominant hand like you would hold a pencil. With your non-dominant hand, gently pinch the skin where you will be administering the injection.
Step 3
Use your wrist in a motion like you would throw a dart and inject the needle at 90 degrees. Let go of the skin and hold the syringe as you gently pull back on the plunger. This is done to verify you haven't hit a blood vessel.
Step 4
Push down on the plunger and slowly inject the medicine. After all the medicine is injected, pull the needle out quickly at the same angle it went in.
Step 5
Cover the injection site with a bandage and dispose of the syringe in a sharps container.
