Related Experiment Videos
[Oral better than parenteral supplementation of vitamin B12]
Michiel Duyvendak1, Gerrit J Veldhuis
1Antonius Ziekenhuis, Afd. Klinische Farmacie, Sneek, The Netherlands. m.duyvendak@antonius-sneek.nl
Abstract:
Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in 5-10% of the Dutch population. Serum vitamin B12 levels should be determined in patients with haematological or neurological disorders such as megaloblastic anaemia or neuropathy, and in patients with risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency such as atrophic gastritis or intrinsic factor-deficiency. The aim of this article was to explicate the data from the literature on the efficacy of oral versus parenteral vitamin B12 supplementation. Two randomised, controlled trials have shown that oral supplementation of 1000-2000 microg/day of vitamin B12 is equally effective in raising serum vitamin B12 levels as a standard parenteral dosing schedule. Moreover, the effects on clinical endpoints were comparable. Several dose-finding studies have been performed, showing that the minimal effective oral dose is 647-1032 microg/day. It is recommended that patients with vitamin B12 deficiency be prescribed 1000 microg/day vitamin B12 orally, unless they have problems with swallowing or treatment compliance or have severe clinical symptoms. In that case parenteral administration is indicated.
Related Concept Videos
Routes of Drug Administration: Parenteral
The intravenous route (IV) of drug administration can be further categorized into two types. The bolus injection administers the entire dose rapidly, while an intravenous infusion slowly delivers smaller doses steadily.
The IV route is often...
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Bioavailability: Overview
Bioavailability: Overview
Vitamins
Routes of Drug Administration: Enteral
Enteral administration involves drug administration via the mouth in two ways: orally or sublingually.
Unlike sublingually drugs, drugs that are taken orally pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and get metabolized by the liver. Once metabolized, the drug is absorbed into the systemic circulation, reaching different body parts via the bloodstream. However, while passing through the stomach,...