Do B12 Shots Require a Prescription?

If you think you might have a Vitamin B12 deficiency, you’ve probably looked into B12 shots. These injections are particularly helpful for individuals who have difficulty absorbing B12, as well as those who have undergone gastric surgery, since they make it possible for B12 to be absorbed without first being digested. B12 shots can:

• Improve energy levels and mood
• Boost metabolism
• Support healthy skin, hair, and nails
• Improve sleep habits
• Strengthen the immune system
• Reduce the risk of stroke, certain neurological disorders, memory loss and other cognitive issues, vision loss, heart disease, anemia, osteoporosis, and infertility

Given all of the benefits that come with B12 shots, you’re probably excited to order the injections and start using them as soon as possible. But can you do this all on your own, or do you need a prescription first? Like many other medications, B12 injections require a doctor’s prescription and can’t simply be purchased over the counter.

Why Do B12 Shots Require a Prescription?

Certain medications have to be prescribed, rather than purchased over the counter, because they’re considered too potentially dangerous to be taken without a doctor’s supervision. B12 shots are no exception. Despite the many benefits that B12 injections offer, they can be harmful if administered to individuals with certain medical conditions. For example, B12 shots are generally inappropriate for people who have:

• Allergies to cobalamin, cobalt, or any of the ingredients in B12 injections – Taking B12 shots with any of these allergies could lead to a serious—potentially life-threatening—allergic reaction.
• Leber’s disease – B12 injections could cause permanent optic nerve damage and even blindness in someone with this inherited eye disorder.
• Polycythemia vera – Because B12 stimulates red blood cell production, injections could worsen this blood disorder.

These contraindications may not be apparent to the average person. A physician, however, will be familiar with the potential dangers and can decide whether to prescribe B12 shots based on his or her knowledge of the patient’s medical history.

Where to Get Your B12 Shots

If you think you could be a candidate for B12 shots, you can turn to Pharmacy Rx Solutions. We’re a national hormone replacement therapy provider based in Tampa, Florida, and we’re pleased to dispense B12 injections through our sister compounding pharmacy, Suncoast Radiopharmacy Services. In addition to B12, our shots include Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), L-carnitine, lidocaine, and the lipotropics methionine, inositol, and choline.

Another benefit of purchasing your B12 shots from Pharmacy Rx Solutions is that we take a synergistic approach to patient care—combining the clinic, physician, and pharmacy into one—so you won’t need to visit another provider to get a B12 prescription. When you reach out to us about ordering B12 shots, we’ll provide you with the necessary paperwork to fill out. Once you’ve done so, we’ll have a physician review your answers and determine whether B12 shots would be beneficial to you.

Contact Pharmacy Rx Solutions today to find out whether you’re a candidate for our industry-leading B12 shots.