Download Hydroxocobalamin 1mg/ml

Hydroxocobalamin
1mg/ml
Lynne Powell RN, MSc. IP. PgCEd.
Aims & objectives
 To explore the facts about vitamin B12
 Identify the sources of vitamin B12
 Look at the complications caused by deficiency
 Discuss the treatment of deficiency
 Consider the administration of cobalamin
FACTS
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
 Is a water-soluable vitamin
 Commonly known as the red vitamin
 Can not be produced by the body
 Found in food
 Stored in the liver
 Stores can last 3-5 years in the liver
 Absorbed form the small bowel in the
presence of intrinsic factor
What does it do?
 Form and regenerate red blood cells
 Promotes growth and appetite in children
 Increase energy
 Maintains a healthy nervous system
 Improves memory, concentration and balance
 Utilses fat, protein and carbohydrate
Deficiency of B12
 Originally low levels were only detected when
the patient became clinically ill
 Prior to the discovery of treatment, it was a fatal
condition
 Modern tests are now used to diagnose the
disease before it becomes clinically apparent
 Without enough B12 your body can’t make
enough red blood cells
Pernicious anaemia
 Type of megaloblastic
anaemia
 Loss of gastric parietal cells
(GPC)
 GPC secrete intrinsic factor
 Intrinsic factor = a protein
essential for absorption of B12
 B12 is surrounded by a protein
that is separated in the
presence of hydrochloric acid,
b12 is then able to bind with IF
Treatment regimes for
pernicious anaemia (BNF
June 2014)
 Hydroxocobalamin 1mg pernicious anaemia without
neurological involvement – 1mg 3 times a week for 2 weeks
then 1mg every 3 months
 Hydroxocobalamin 1mg pernicious anaemia with
neurological involvement – 1mg on alternate days until no
further improvement, then 1mg every 2 months months
Remember its not your role to prescribe,
this is for your information only
Is the regime documented in the notes?
Administration equipment
• 2ml syringe
• Selection of green and blue
hypodermic needles
• ampule of hydroxocobalamin
• Cottonwool
• Tape or plaster (not always
needed)
Pre administration check
Name of drug ;
hydroxocobalamin; cobalin H
Colour of contents
Batch
number
NEXT
1. Change the hypodermic needle
1. Expel excess air, remove the
needle cover
1. Inject into the deltoid muscle
(slowly)
2. Remove the needle and dispose
of the equipment as a whole into
a yellow topped sharps box. Do
NOT re-sheath a needle
3. Check the injection site; dress
only if needed
Documentation
 Patient identification; e.g. name, DOB, address, etc.
 Has the treatment regime been documented in the notes???
 The name of the drug and dose; e.g. hydroxocobalamin
1mg/ml
 The batch number; e.g. BN 72315
 The expiratory date; e.g. Exp. 03/2015
 The site of injection; e.g. right arm
 Date of next injection; give this information to the patient.