DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Cyanocobalamin (B12) Sublingual Tablets (sigh-an-oh-koe-BAL-uh-min)
Brand Name: B-12 Dots

B-12 Dots is used for:

Treating or preventing low blood levels of vitamin B₁₂. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

B-12 Dots is a form of vitamin B₁₂. It works by replacing vitamin B₁₂ in the body.

Do NOT use B-12 Dots if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in B-12 Dots , including cobalt

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using B-12 Dots :

Some medical conditions may interact with B-12 Dots . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have an infection, Leber disease (weakened eye nerve), a buildup of waste in the blood (uremia), any kind of anemia, or low blood levels of iron or folic acid
• if you are a vegetarian
• if you drink alcohol on a regular basis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with B-12 Dots . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Chloramphenicol or other medicine that may decrease your bone marrow because effectiveness of B-12 Dots may be decreased; ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may decrease your bone marrow
• Colchicine or para-aminosalicylic acid because the effectiveness of B-12 Dots may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if B-12 Dots may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use B-12 Dots :

Use B-12 Dots as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• B-12 Dots may be taken with or without food.
• Place B-12 Dots beneath your tongue and allow the tablet to dissolve.
• If you miss a dose of B-12 Dots , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use B-12 Dots .

Important safety information:

• Heavy alcohol intake for more than 2 weeks may decrease the effectiveness of B-12 Dots . Check with your doctor if you drink alcohol on a regular basis.
• You may need to have blood tests every 3 to 6 months to monitor your progress.
• Certain medicines, including antibiotics, methotrexate, or pyrimethamine, may interfere with lab tests for vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know all the medicines that you are taking.
• Do not take large doses of vitamins (megadoses or megavitamin therapy) while taking B-12 Dots unless directed by your doctor.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking B-12 Dots , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using B-12 Dots during pregnancy. B-12 Dots is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using B-12 Dots , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of B-12 Dots :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. When used in small doses, no COMMON side effects have been reported with this product. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of B-12 Dots :

Store B-12 Dots at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Store upright. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep B-12 Dots out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about B-12 Dots , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• B-12 Dots is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about B-12 Dots . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.