Strict vegetarians and vegans may suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency1

  • Animal products—meat, fish eggs and dairy—are the primary source of dietary vitamin B12
  • Vegans and vegetarians may not consume enough animal products to achieve healthy B12 levels
  • Patients who maintain a more disciplined vegan diet are more likely to experience B12 deficiency

B12 deficiency may be asymptomatic, however, vegans and vegetarians may exhibit the following symptoms2:

  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Pale skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Depressed mood
  • Beefy red tongue

Learn how Nascobal sustains B12 levels

Meet Jennifer

Jennifer is vegan diagnosed with B12 deficiency

Find out more

Patient Education Brochure

Give your patients
more information
about Nascobal

Download Brochure


Please see Important Safety Information below.

Indications

Nascobal® (Cyanocobalamin, USP) Nasal Spray is indicated for the maintenance of normal hematologic status in pernicious anemia patients who are in remission following intramuscular vitamin B12 therapy and who have no nervous system involvement.

Nascobal Nasal Spray is also indicated as a supplement for other vitamin B12 deficiencies including: dietary deficiency of vitamin B12 occurring in strict vegetarian diets; malabsorption of vitamin B12 resulting from conditions including HIV infection, AIDS, and Crohn's disease; inadequate secretion of intrinsic factor resulting from lesions that destroy the gastric mucosa and other conditions associated with gastric atrophy including multiple sclerosis, HIV infection, AIDS, certain endocrine disorders, iron deficiency, and subtotal gastrectomy; total gastrectomy; competition for vitamin B12 by intestinal parasites or bacteria; and inadequate utilization of vitamin B12 that may occur if antimetabolites for the vitamin are employed in the treatment of neoplasia.

Important Safety information

Nascobal® (Cyanocobalamin, USP) Nasal Spray is a prescription, man-made form of vitamin B12.

Nascobal Nasal Spray is used to keep healthy levels of B12. It is used to treat patients with pernicious anemia who do not have nervous system problems and who achieved healthy vitamin B12 levels following vitamin B12 shots.

Nascobal Nasal Spray is used to keep healthy vitamin B12 levels in: strict vegetarians, people who cannot absorb vitamin B12 because of damage to their stomach or intestine from diseases (HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease and sprue) or surgery, infections caused by parasites or bacteria, and patients who cannot process vitamin B12 because of certain cancer treatments.

Do not take Nascobal if you are sensitive to cobalt and/or vitamin B12 or any ingredients in the medication. In patients with Leber's disease, treatment with vitamin B12 can damage their sight (optic nerve atrophy). In patients with too many red blood cells (a condition called polycythemia vera), treatment with vitamin B12 may cause this condition to return. In patients with severe anemia treated with vitamin B12, low potassium levels (hypokalemia) and sudden death may occur.

Some patients will need a weekly spray of Nascobal in their nostril for the rest of their lives. Do not stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking vitamin B12, anemia could return, or you could develop permanent nerve damage.

Side effects thought to be related to Nascobal use are usually mild and include headache, nausea, and rhinitis.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

For more information about Nascobal Nasal Spray, call 1-800-828-9393 (Option 2).

References:
1. Nascobal® (Cyanocobalamin, USP) Nasal Spray Prescribing Information; 2009.
2. OH RC, Brown DL. Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67:979-986.