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Dietary supplement

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Vitamin
Most serious interaction: Minor
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Minor

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for treating or preventing b12 deficiency, pernicious anemia, low energy and fatigue.Based on those ingredients, 20 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are Vitamin B12. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: Vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin, supplied at 5,000 mcg per tablet. Methylcobalamin is a form of B12 your body can readily use, and it's included in a tablet with several inactive ingredients (xylitol, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, strawberry flavor, and others) that help give it shape and taste.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Vitamin B12's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Brain and nervous system health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, Cognitive function, Cognitive impairment, Dementia, Peripheral neuropathy — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Vitamin B12 is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Age-related cognitive decline (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Vitamin B12 is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Alzheimer disease, Cognitive impairment.
  • Also on file: Vitamin B12 is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, Cognitive function, Dementia, Diabetic neuropathy.

Vitamin B12 is effective for treating B12 deficiency and for Imerslund-Grasbeck disease (a rare genetic condition affecting B12 absorption). It's also likely effective for cyanide poisoning.

There is possibly effective evidence for canker sores and postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain following shingles), though the data for those uses is less robust.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin B12

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

B12 is generally very well tolerated when taken by mouth. Your body removes excess B12 in the urine, so there's no established upper limit — you can't easily take too much.

In pregnancy and while breastfeeding, B12 is considered safe at normal recommended amounts and is actually needed; if you're pregnant or nursing, follow your doctor's guidance on dosing. Serious side effects are rare; allergic reactions like rash, itching, or hives can occur (theoretically related to the cobalt in the B12 molecule), and there are rare case reports of severe low potassium (hypokalemia) when B12 corrects certain types of anemia.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin B12

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Vitamin B12.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • For scale: 20 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take metformin (Glucophage) for diabetes, let your pharmacist know you're adding B12 — metformin can lower your B12 levels over time, and this supplement helps offset that. We hold interaction data only for metformin among the medications that interact with B12; check your full medication list with the search tool to be sure.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

This supplement is a solid choice if you have a B12 deficiency or take metformin long-term — the Minor interaction with metformin is manageable with awareness and your provider's input. B12 is safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding at recommended doses.

If you take any regular medications, especially for diabetes, check them against the tool on this page first.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614021225
Net contents 60 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2019
DSLD ID 204140
Product type Vitamin
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614021225
IngredientAmount% DV
Vitamin B125000 mcg208333%

Other ingredients: Xylitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, natural Strawberry flavor, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Calcium Palmitate, Silica, Beet juice color, Citric Acid, Stevia leaf extract

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, chew and dissolve one table in mouth once per day.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only.

Consult your physician before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Brain and nervous system health 5,000 mcg per tablet High absorption

FDA Statement of Identity

Vitamin Supplement

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.

Vitamin B12

Interacts with
20 drugs
5000 mcg per serving Form: Methylcobalamin

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient your body needs to make red blood cells, keep nerves healthy, and support DNA. Supplements are very h...

Vitamin B12 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Xylitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Natural Strawberry flavor, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Calcium Palmitate, Silica, Beet juice color, Citric Acid, Stevia leaf extract. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
20Drugs
20 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Vitamin B12 20

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption interact with 20 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Vitamin B12

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Vitamin B121 drug type · 20 drugs

Metformin (Glucophage)

Metformin, a common medication used to manage type 2 diabetes, has been associated with lower vitamin B12 levels in some individuals. Prolonged use of metformin can interfere with the absorption of B12 in the digestive system, potentially leading to a deficiency in this essential vitamin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Vitamin B12 full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson: Common Questions

Does B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption has a known interaction with 20 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this B12 supplement help if I take metformin?
Metformin can interfere with B12 absorption over time, so supplementing may help prevent a deficiency. It's a Minor interaction, which means they work together safely — just make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows you're taking both so they can monitor your B12 level if needed.
Is B12 safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes. B12 is considered likely safe in pregnancy and while breastfeeding at recommended amounts, and it's actually needed during both. Follow your healthcare provider's advice on the right dose for you.
Can I take too much B12?
No — B12 doesn't have an established upper limit because your body excretes excess amounts in the urine. You can't easily overdose on it.
What form of B12 is in this product?
It's methylcobalamin, a form your body can readily absorb and use. This tablet also contains inactive ingredients like xylitol, microcrystalline cellulose, and strawberry flavor.
What are the side effects of B12 supplements?
Taken by mouth, B12 is generally well tolerated. Rarely, allergic reactions like rash, itching, or hives can occur, sometimes linked to sensitivity to the cobalt in the B12 molecule. Serious side effects are uncommon.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Vitamin B12

Interacts with 20 drugs

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient your body needs to make red blood cells, keep nerves healthy, and support DNA. Supplements are very helpful for people who are deficient — su...

Read the full Vitamin B12 monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

B-12 Methylcobalamin 5,000 mcg High Absorption's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 30 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Vitamin B12 30 references
  1. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline (2000). Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2000. Available at: http://b
  2. Hartman TJ, Woodson K, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, et al. Association of the B-vitamins pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (B6), B12, and folate with lung cancer risk in older men. Am J Epidemiol 2001;153:688-94.. DOI
  3. Jansen T, Romiti R, Kreuter A, Altmeyer P. Rosacea fulminans triggered by high-dose vitamins B6 and B12. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2001;15:484-5..
  4. Lange H, Suryapranata H, De Luca G, et al. Folate therapy and in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting. N Engl J Med 2004;350:2673-81. PubMed
  5. Collin, S. M., Metcalfe, C., Refsum, H., Lewis, S. J., Zuccolo, L., Smith, G. D., Chen, L., Harris, R., Davis, M., Marsden, G., Johnston, C., Lane, J. A., Ebbing, M., Bonaa, K. H., Nygard, O., Ueland, P. M., Grau, M. V., Baron, J. A., Donovan, J. L., Nea
  6. Geissbuhler, P., Mermillod, B., and Rapin, C. H. Elevated serum vitamin B12 levels associated with CRP as a predictive factor of mortality in palliative care cancer patients: a prospective study over five years. J.Pain Symptom.Manage. 2000;20(2):93-103. PubMed
  7. Salles, N., Herrmann, F., Sakbani, K., Rapin, C. H., and Sieber, C. High vitamin B12 level: a strong predictor of mortality in elderly inpatients. J Am Geriatr.Soc 2005;53(5):917-918.
  8. Looker, H. C., Fagot-Campagna, A., Gunter, E. W., Pfeiffer, C. M., Sievers, M. L., Bennett, P. H., Nelson, R. G., Hanson, R. L., and Knowler, W. C. Homocysteine and vitamin B(12) concentrations and mortality rates in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res R
  9. Uhl, W., Nolting, A., Golor, G., Rost, K. L., and Kovar, A. Safety of hydroxocobalamin in healthy volunteers in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44 Suppl 1:17-28. PubMed
  10. Borron, S. W., Baud, F. J., Barriot, P., Imbert, M., and Bismuth, C. Prospective study of hydroxocobalamin for acute cyanide poisoning in smoke inhalation. Ann Emerg.Med 2007;49(6):794-801, 801. PubMed
  11. Borron, S. W., Baud, F. J., Megarbane, B., and Bismuth, C. Hydroxocobalamin for severe acute cyanide poisoning by ingestion or inhalation. Am J Emerg.Med 2007;25(5):551-558. PubMed
  12. Lewis, J. G. Gout, Steatorrhoea, and Megaloblastic Anaemia. Ann Rheum.Dis 1962;21(3):284-286. PubMed
  13. Tal, S., Shavit, Y., Stern, F., and Malnick, S. Association between vitamin B12 levels and mortality in hospitalized older adults. J Am Geriatr.Soc 2010;58(3):523-526. PubMed
  14. Baztan, J. J., Gavidia, J. J., Gomez-Pavon, J., Esteve, A., and Ruiperez, I. High vitamin B12 levels and in-hospital mortality. J Am Geriatr.Soc 2010;58(11):2237-2238. PubMed
  15. Omboni, E., Checchini, M., and Longoni, F. [Hypopotassemia and megaloblastic anemia. Presentation of a case]. Minerva Med 8-31-1987;78(16):1255-1257.
  16. Aalfs As, Scholvinck LH, Horvath B. Acneiform eruption in a 5-year old due to vitamin B12 supplementation. Eur J Dermatol 2013;23(5):726-7. PubMed
  17. Balta I, Ozuguz P. Vitamin B12-induced acneiform eruption. Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2014;33(2):94-5. PubMed
  18. Carman KB, Belgemen T, Yis U. Involuntary movements misdiagnosed as seizure during vitamin B12 treatment. Pediatr Emerg Care 2013;29(11):1223-4. PubMed
  19. Djuric V, Bogic M, Popadic AP, et al. Anaphylactic reaction to hydroxycobalamin with tolerance to cyanocobalamin. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2012;108(3):207-8. PubMed
  20. Kartel O, Gulec M, Demirel F, et al. Vitamin B12 allergy and successful desensitization with cyanocobalamin: A case report. Allergol Immunopath (Madr) 2012;40(5):324-5.
  21. Patiroglu T, Unal E, Yildirim S. Infantile tremor syndrome associated with cobalamin therapy: A case report. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2013;115(9):1903-5. PubMed
  22. Schulte S, Barkema LW, Kardaun SH. Long-lasting atypical acneiform eruption with prominent comedones induced by hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B12). J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2014;12(6):502-3.
  23. Zanus C, Alberini E, Costa P, et al. Involuntary movements after correction of vitamin B12 deficiency: A video-case report. Epileptic Disord 2012;14(2):174-80. PubMed
  24. Fanidi A, Carreras-Torres R, Larose TL, et al. Is high vitamin B12 status a cause of lung cancer? Int J Cancer. 2019 Sep 15;145(6):1499-1503. PubMed
  25. Fujita Y, Mizukami T, Maya Y, et al. Vitamin B12 allergy manifesting as lymphomatoid contact dermatitis. Eur J Dermatol. 2020;30(3):304-305. PubMed
  26. Dépret F, Hoffmann C, Daoud L, et al. Association between hydroxocobalamin administration and acute kidney injury after smoke inhalation: a multicenter retrospective study. Crit Care. 2019;23(1):421. PubMed
  27. Khairan P, Sobue T, Eshak ES, et al. Association of dietary intakes of vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate, and methionine with the risk of esophageal cancer: the Japan Public Health Center-based (JPHC) prospective study. BMC Cancer 2021;21(1):982. PubMed
  28. Evans J, Pandya A, Ding Y, Qunibi WY. Hydroxocobalamin-Induced Oxalate Nephropathy in a Patient With Smoke Inhalation. Kidney Int Rep 2021;6(8):2228-2231. PubMed
  29. Lacombe V, Chabrun F, Lacout C, et al. Persistent elevation of plasma vitamin B12 is strongly associated with solid cancer. Sci Rep 2021;11(1):13361. PubMed
  30. Pegalajar-García MD, Cebolla-Verdugo M, Prados-Carmona Á, Llamas-Segura C, Navarro-Triviño FJ. Systemic allergic dermatitis to cobalt present in cyanocobalamin supplementation. Contact Dermatitis 2023;89(3):203-205. PubMed

See these in context on the Vitamin B12 monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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