Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Vitamin B12 as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Vitamin B12 use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can rarely present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with Vitamin B12, such as, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing, and increased shortness of breath. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Hematologic side-effects
- Vitamin B12 intake can increase the synthesis of red blood cells in anemic individuals and improve the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. Synthesis of red blood cells can consume the potassium in the body and result in low blood potassium or hypokalemia.
- Hypokalemia can increase the risk for cardiac arrhythmias and individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, and shortness of breath secondary to arrhythmia.
Central nervous system side-effects
- Vitamin B12 can induce some confusion and dizziness, thus increasing the risk for fall and accidents. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by Vitamin B12 intake. Observing compliance with DME prescribed, if any, can help prevent falls and accidents, secondary to dizziness and hypotension. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
