Hydroxocobalamin (injection)
Generic name: hydroxocobalamin (injection) [ hye-DROX-o-koe-BAL-a-min ]
Brand names: Cyanokit, Hydroxy-Cobal, Hydro-Cobex, Cobalin-H, Neo-Cytamen
Dosage forms: injectable solution (1000 mcg/mL); intravenous powder for injection (2.5 g; 5 g)
Drug class:Vitamins
What is hydroxocobalamin?
Hydroxocobalamin is a form of vitamin B-12. It is used as an antidote to cyanide poisoning. Hydroxocobalamin works by helping cells in the body convert cyanide to a form that can be removed from the body through urination.
Hydroxocobalamin is used in an emergency to treat cyanide poisoning. This type of poisoning can occur if you are exposed to smoke from a house or industrial fire, if you swallow or breathe in cyanide, or if you get cyanide on your skin.
Hydroxocobalamin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received Hydroxocobalamin.
Before taking this medicine
If possible before you receive hydroxocobalamin, tell your caregivers if you have:
heart disease;
congestive heart failure;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to hydroxocobalamin, Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin (Nascobal, Cobolin, Cyomin, and others).
FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether hydroxocobalamin will harm an unborn baby. However, the benefits of treating cyanide poisoning may outweigh any risks posed by hydroxocobalamin, for both you and your baby.
It is not known whether hydroxocobalamin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed after you have been treated with hydroxocobalamin.
In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with hydroxocobalamin to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.
How should I take hydroxocobalamin?
Hydroxocobalamin is injected into a vein through an ...
