Oral vitamin B12 can change our practice.
Oral vitamin B12 can provide an effective alternative to intramuscular injections, so giving patients a choice and reducing costs in primary care. This study investigated the effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of oral vitamin B12 as replacement therapy in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency in a city general practice population. Forty patients previously maintained on vitamin B12 injections were given 1000 micro g of oral cyanocobalamin daily for up to 18 months. All the patients maintained satisfactory serum B12 levels and showed normal haematology and neurology. Compliance and acceptability was excellent. The time for a change in practice has indeed arrived.
Yardley Green Medical Centre, Birmingham, UK. Liz.nyholm@pc.birminghamha.wmids.nhs.uk
E
E
Nyholm
P
P
Turpin
D
D
Swain
B
B
Cunningham
S
S
Daly
P
P
Nightingale
C
C
Fegan
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010808:Physical Examination; D011364:Professional Practice; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014805:Vitamin B 12