Vitamin B12

Also indexed as: B12 Vitamin
Vitamin B12: Main Image

Related Topics

  1. Vitamins & Minerals for Healthy People
  2. Supplement Safety Myths & Facts

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

If a person is deficient in vitamin B12 and takes 1,000 mcg or more of folic acid per day, the folic acid supplementation can improve the anaemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. The effect of folic acid on vitamin B12 deficiency-induced anaemia is not a folic acid toxicity. Rather, the folic acid supplementation is acting to correct one of the problems caused by B12 deficiency. The other problems caused by a lack of vitamin B12 (mostly neurological) do not improve with folic acid supplements, and can become irreversible if vitamin B12 is not provided to someone who is vitamin B12 deficient.

Some doctors are unaware that vitamin B12 deficiencies often occur without anaemia—even in people who do not take folic acid supplements. This lack of knowledge can delay diagnosis and treatment of people with vitamin B12 deficiencies. This can lead to permanent injury. When such a delayed diagnosis occurs in someone who inadvertently erased the anaemia of vitamin B12 deficiency by taking folic acid supplements, the folic acid supplementation is often blamed for the missed diagnosis. This problem is rare and should not occur in people whose doctors understand that a lack of anaemia does not rule out a vitamin B12 deficiency. Anyone supplementing 1,000 mcg or more per day of folic acid should be initially evaluated by a doctor before the folic acid can obscure a proper diagnosis of a possible B12 deficiency.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

May Be Beneficial:Some medicines may increase the need for this supplement.
Avoid:Some medicines interact with this supplement, so they should not be taken together.
Check: Some interactions between this supplement and certain medicines require more explanation. Click the link to see details.

Note: The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine. To find a specific brand name, use the Medicines Index.

May Be Beneficial:Aspirin
May Be Beneficial:AZT
May Be Beneficial:Carbamazepine
May Be Beneficial:Cimetidine
May Be Beneficial:Clofibrate
May Be Beneficial:Colchicine
May Be Beneficial:Cycloserine
May Be Beneficial:Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol
May Be Beneficial:Erythromycin
May Be Beneficial:Ethinylestradiol and Levonorgestrel
May Be Beneficial:Ethinylestradiol and Norethisterone
May Be Beneficial:Ethinylestradiol and Norgestimate
May Be Beneficial:Ethinylestradiol and Norgestrel
May Be Beneficial:Famotidine
May Be Beneficial:Felbamate
May Be Beneficial:Fenofibrate
May Be Beneficial:Gentamicin
May Be Beneficial:Isoniazid
May Be Beneficial:Lansoprazole
May Be Beneficial:Levetiracetam
May Be Beneficial:Levonorgestrel
May Be Beneficial:Levonorgestrel-Ethinylestradiol
May Be Beneficial:Mestranol with Norethisterone
May Be Beneficial:Metformin
May Be Beneficial:Methyldopa
May Be Beneficial:Neomycin
May Be Beneficial:Nitric Oxide Gas
May Be Beneficial:Nizatidine
May Be Beneficial:Norgestimate-Ethinylestradiol
May Be Beneficial:Omeprazole
May Be Beneficial:Oxcarbazepine
May Be Beneficial:Phenobarbital
May Be Beneficial:Phenobarbital
May Be Beneficial:Primidone
May Be Beneficial:Ranitidine
May Be Beneficial:Sulphamethoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Tetracycline
May Be Beneficial:Topiramate
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim/ Sulphamethoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Valproate
May Be Beneficial:Valproate
May Be Beneficial:Zonisamide
Check: Gabapentin
References

Copyright © 2010 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

Learn more about the authors of Aisle7 products.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.