| Compound | Vitamin B12 |
|---|---|
| Category | Approved injectable vitamin |
| Class | Other Injectables |
| Evidence tier | Approved medicine |
| WADA status | Not individually listed; verify current status if subject to testing |
| Sold on this site | No — this is a reference database |
Overview
This entry covers Vitamin B12, a approved injectable vitamin, graded "Approved medicine" in this catalog's evidence system. This compound exists as an approved medicine in at least one major jurisdiction. Approval applies to specific, labeled indications and to the regulated product — not to compounded or research-grade copies.
Cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin injections are approved prescription medicines for vitamin B12 deficiency and certain poisonings (hydroxocobalamin in cyanide toxicity).
Mechanism of Action
B12 is a cofactor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase; injection bypasses gastrointestinal absorption defects.
Research and Evidence
Decades of established clinical use in deficiency states; the evidence for "energy" use in non-deficient people is absent.
Safety and Side Effects
Approved injectable products have a well-characterized profile; the difference between deficiency treatment and wellness use is evidence, not marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the evidence tier of Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is graded "Approved medicine" on this site. This compound exists as an approved medicine in at least one major jurisdiction. Approval applies to specific, labeled indications and to the regulated product — not to compounded or research-grade copies.
Is Vitamin B12 an approved medicine?
Vitamin B12 exists as an approved medicine in at least one major jurisdiction — but approval covers the regulated product and its labeled indications only. Compounded or research-grade versions of the same molecule are not the approved product.
Where can I read the primary studies for Vitamin B12?
The references section at the end of this entry links the key primary sources — regulator labels, trial registrations, and peer-reviewed papers. Our "How to Read a Peptide Study" guide explains how to evaluate them.
References
- DailyMed — cyanocobalamin injection prescribing information. [source]
Evidence tier: Approved medicine · Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Sources cited below.