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Dietary supplement

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature Made

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Vitamin
Most serious interaction: Minor
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg 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

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg is a dietary supplement by Nature Made 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 Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made

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 Aug 20, 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 softgel contains one active ingredient: vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) at 5,000 micrograms per dose. The remaining ingredients are inactive excipients — soybean oil, gelatin, glycerin, yellow beeswax, water, added colors, and rapeseed lecithin — that make up the capsule and its contents.

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: helps convert food into cellular energy.
  • We looked for evidence on: Fatigue, energy metabolism, ATP production.
  • The closest evidence on file: Vitamin B12 is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Fatigue (Natural Medicines).

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

For canker sores and postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles), the evidence is possibly effective but not as well established.

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 — your body removes excess through urine, so there's no established upper limit. Orally, it causes only mild injection-site reactions (not relevant here since this is a softgel) and is generally free of serious side effects.

Allergic reactions such as rash or itching are rare but have been reported; they may theoretically stem from the cobalt in the B12 molecule. B12 is considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding at normal recommended amounts — in fact, it's needed at both times — but follow your provider's guidance on dosing.

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 (a common diabetes medication), you should know it can interfere with B12 absorption — that's why taking this supplement makes sense, but your doctor should monitor your levels. Check your other medications using the search tool on this page before you start.

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 right for anyone with a B12 deficiency or who's at risk for one, especially people taking metformin long-term. If you're on metformin or any other medication, check your specific drugs with the search tool here before starting.

Then talk it over with your own doctor or pharmacist to make sure it fits your situation.

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 Sep 22, 2022.

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 Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature Made
Barcode (UPC) 031604028862
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 22, 2022
DSLD ID 276576
Product type Vitamin
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
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 Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made, 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 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
031604028862
IngredientAmount% DV
Vitamin B125000 mcg208333%

Other ingredients: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, yellow Beeswax, Water, Colors added, Rapeseed Lecithin

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.
General Statements

#1 pharmacist recommended vitamin & supplement brand

Seals/Symbols

USP Verified Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Helps convert food into cellular energy

USP has tested and verified ingredients, potency, and manufacturing process. USP sets official standards for dietary supplements. www.uspverified.org. Based on Pharmacy Times Survey of pharmacists recommending Letter Vitamin Supplements.

No synthetic dyes - Colors derived from natural sources No artificial flavors No preservatives Gluten free

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Adults, use only as directed by a physician. Take 1 softgel daily with water and a meal.

Storage

Store tightly closed, in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children.

Precautions

Store tightly closed, in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children.

Do not use if imprinted seal under cap is broken or missing.

Caution: Do not exceed 1 softgel daily or take longer than recommended by your physician.

Formula

For those diagnosed with very low levels of vitamin B12 Maximum 5,000 mcg - For adults with very low levels, as diagnosed by their physician using appropriate biomarkers.

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

See for yourself

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made label

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

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg 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 Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made

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

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Vitamin B12

Interacts with
20 drugs
5000 mcg per serving Form: Cyanocobalamin

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: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Yellow Beeswax, Water, Colors added, Rapeseed Lecithin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg?

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 Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg interact with 20 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg 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 Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg 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 Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg, from the product label.

Nature Made

See all Nature Made products
Name
Nature Made Nutritional Products
City
West Hills
State
CA
ZipCode
91309-9903
Phone Number
1-800-276-2878
Web Address
www.NatureMade.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made: Common Questions

Does Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg by Nature Made interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg 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?
Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg 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.
Does B12 supplementation really work if I take metformin?
Yes — metformin can lower your B12 levels over time by blocking absorption, but taking a B12 supplement like this one can help. Your doctor should check your B12 level periodically to make sure the supplement is doing its job and metformin isn't still pulling your levels down.
Is this safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
B12 is actually needed during both pregnancy and breastfeeding and is considered safe at recommended amounts. That said, always follow your doctor's or midwife's advice on dosing and whether you need supplementation at all.
Can I take too much B12?
No — B12 is water-soluble, so your body removes excess through urine. There's no established upper limit, and overdose isn't a realistic concern with oral supplements.
What are the side effects?
B12 taken by mouth is very well tolerated. Allergic reactions like rash or itching are rare and may happen if you're sensitive to cobalt. Serious side effects are not typical with oral supplements.
What does B12 actually do in my body?
B12 supports red blood cell formation, nerve function, and DNA synthesis. It's essential for energy and healthy blood; without enough, you can develop anemia and nerve problems.

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

Not sure if Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg is safe with your meds?

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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.

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg’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

Maximum Strength B12 5000 mcg'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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