Vitamin B12 injections
Vitamin B12 plays an important part in maintaining normal functioning in the brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 injections can be effective for raising the vitamin B12 levels in the blood quickly for those with vitamin B12 deficiency. In this article we’ll cover what you should know about vitamin B12 injections and how MinuteClinic® can help you schedule yours.
Find care
Both in-person and virtual visits may be available when you schedule your visit.

Insurance and pricing
Most insurance accepted. Check your coverage or estimate the cost of your visit if you’re uninsured or prefer to pay out-of-pocket.
Have questions about vitamin B12 injections? Here’s what you should know.
What are B12 injections?
Vitamin B12 injections are given to help patients who need them to maintain healthy levels of B12 in their body. Chemically, vitamin B12 can exist in various forms. The liver can store the vitamin for a long time, so it may take a few years for deficiency and symptoms to develop. When patients are deficient in their B12 levels, they sometimes report these common signs and symptoms:
- Difficulties with maintaining balance
- Fatigue, lethargy or feeling faint
- Numbness or a feeling of pins and needles
- Headache or irritability
- Mouth sores
- Reduced cognitive function (memory or comprehension issues)
- Sore and swollen tongue (or a tongue that looks pale yellow or red in color)
To combat these symptoms, your MinuteClinic® provider can administer vitamin B12 injections for patients who come in with a prescription, or our providers may be able to assess you for anemia and treat you as clinically indicated.
Getting help
MinuteClinic providers are qualified to administer vitamin B12 injections for patients with a prescription. They will review your medical history (or may be able to assess you for anemia and treat as clinically indicated), help you understand the risks and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, and share advice for prevention.
- You will answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.
- The check-in process varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:
If you made your appointment online:
Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.
If you made your appointment in the clinic:
Sign in at the electronic kiosk.
- When it's time for your appointment, a provider or other staff member will call your name.
- Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visiting, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided
during the visit.
- At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble nutrient also known as cobalamin. It plays a vital role in the healthy functioning of many systems in the body, including the following:
- DNA (genetic material) synthesis
- Energy production (metabolism)
- Nerve cell health
- Neurological (brain) function
- Red blood cell (hemoglobin) formation
Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. It’s also important in the formation of red blood cells. A lack of B12 can lead to anemia (not having enough red blood cells), which causes you to feel tired and weak.
Deficiency is a widespread phenomenon. People who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. They may get little to no B12 from their food, because vitamin B12 only occurs naturally in animal sources. If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems or anemia.
Vegans and vegetarians are not alone in being at risk of having a deficiency. It can also develop from poor B12 absorption, because some people are not able to absorb it well. B12 is present in a variety of food sources (mainly animal-based products), where it is bound to protein molecules.
Cobalamin separates from the protein during digestion, and a substance called intrinsic factor binds to cobalamin for the body to absorb it into the blood. People whose bodies do not generate enough intrinsic factor can become vitamin B12 deficient. People who have difficulty processing vitamin B12 may develop anemia. This type of anemia is caused by a lack of the intrinsic factor needed to support red blood cell production.
Deficiency is also prevalent in seniors because the capacity to absorb vitamin B12 can diminish with age. Other populations at risk include people who had gastrointestinal surgery (including weight loss surgery) and diseases that affect the gut, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease.
Vitamin B12 injections (hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin) are effective for raising the vitamin B12 level in the blood quickly. The shot, as prescribed by a health care provider, is given into the muscle by your MinuteClinic provider.
Getting your vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is available in animal-based foods as well as fortified foods that have added B12. Fortified foods usually include milk alternatives and breakfast cereals, and selections vary depending on the country. Some especially rich sources of vitamin B12 include the following:
- Beef kidney: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 311% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI)
- Beef liver: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 881% of the RDI
- Canned salmon: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 61% of the RDI
- Eggs: 2 large eggs provide 25% of the RDI
- Ground beef: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 40% of the RDI
- Milk: 1 cup (250 ml) provides 20% of the RDI
- Trout: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 61% of the RDI
Although most insurance is accepted for a vitamin B12 injection, you should contact your insurance company before your visit to confirm coverage and cost. If you’re uninsured or prefer to pay out of pocket, you can check our service price list.
Most of the side effects of B12 injections are mild, including diarrhea or redness or temporary swelling at the injection site. More serious vitamin B12 side effects may include the following:
- Allergic reactions, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. If this occurs, seek emergency care immediately at a local emergency department or by calling 911.
- Fluid buildup in the lungs, which can result in shortness of breath and pain while breathing, or coughing up foamy mucus.
- Heart problems, including signs of rapid weight gain, general swelling or feeling like you're short of breath.
- Low potassium levels, which can lead to constipation, an irregular heartbeat, leg cramps, numbness or tingling.
If you experience any of these vitamin B12 side effects after getting an injection, contact your doctor or a medical professional right away.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.
REFERENCES USED AS SOURCES FOR THIS PAGE:
1Vitamin B12 injection via Cleveland Clinic. (Accessed 28th August 2024)
2Vitamin B12 Injections: Good or Bad? via Healthline. (Accessed 28th August 2024)
3Who needs vitamin B12 shots and why? via Medical News Today. (Accessed 28th August 2024)