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Dietary supplement

Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW

Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg label
See full label image
Lozenge 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 Methyl B-12 5,000 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

Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg is a dietary supplement by NOW with 2 active ingredients. 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 Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW

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 11, 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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Folate” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (680 mcg DFE) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: Vitamin B12 and Folate. The B12 comes in a form called methylcobalamin, delivered as a lozenge that dissolves in your mouth.

The folate component is listed as a blend, so the exact forms and amounts of its individual folate sources aren't spelled out here. The lozenge also contains inactive ingredients like fructose, sorbitol, and microcrystalline cellulose for texture and taste.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
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
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Energy production and homocysteine metabolism.
  • We looked for evidence on: Fatigue, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Energy levels, B12 status.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Vitamin B12 is rated "Effective" for Vitamin B12 deficiency (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Vitamin B12 is rated "Possibly Effective" for Hyperhomocysteinemia.
  • Also on file: Vitamin B12 is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Fatigue.

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

The data shows it as possibly effective for canker sores and postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles). We don't hold effectiveness ratings for folate or quatrefolic in our data, so we can't speak to how those ingredients perform for any condition.

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 excretes excess B12 in your urine, so there's no established upper limit — you can't overdose on it.

The most common side effect with injections is mild reaction at the injection site; oral forms like this lozenge don't typically cause that. Rarely, people report allergic reactions such as rash or itching, and in one case report someone with a cobalt allergy developed contact dermatitis from oral methylcobalamin.

B12 is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding at normal recommended amounts — in fact, it's needed in both — but follow your provider's guidance for your specific situation.

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 us know — there's a Minor interaction, and your B12 levels may need monitoring. We couldn't check the full interaction profile for folate or quatrefolic, so run your complete medication list through the tool on this page.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a straightforward B12 supplement effective for deficiency and a few other conditions. If you take metformin for diabetes, you're a good candidate for B12 monitoring anyway, so this fits naturally.

Ask your pharmacist to check your other medications before you start, especially if you're pregnant or breastfeeding and want to confirm the dose is right for you.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 25, 2024.

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 Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW
Barcode (UPC) 733739004932
Net contents 120 Lozenge(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 313775
Product type Vitamin
Supplement form Lozenge
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW, 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 Lozenge(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Lozenge(s)
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
733739004932
IngredientAmount% DV
Folate680 mcg DFE170%
Vitamin B125 mg208333%
Quatrefolic400 mcg--

Other ingredients: Fructose, Sorbitol, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Natural Flavors, Magnesium Stearate

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 Usage: Take 1 lozenge daily with a meal. Chew lozenge or hold in mouth until dissolved and swallow.

Formula

Vitamin B-12 is necessary for the production of energy from fats and proteins and is well known for its critical role in DNA synthesis, as well as in homocysteine metabolism. Methylcobalamin is the co-enzyme form of Vitamin B-12 that has been found to be especially critical in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. Dietary sources are almost exclusively of animal origin (meat and dairy) and supplementation with B-12 may be especially important for strict vegetarians.

Methylcobalamin plus Folate

Triangle K (Kosher)

Formulation

NOW Methyl B-12 is vegetarian/vegan (non-animal derived).

Nervous system health Essential for energy production

Vegetarian/vegan

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients.

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.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only.

Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that process other ingredients containing these allergens.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Quality Assured

Triangle K (Kosher)

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Vitamins

Family owned since 1968.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Quatrefolic is a registered trademark of Gnosis S.p.A. and protected by U.S. Patent 7,947,662.

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

See for yourself

Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW label

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

Methyl B-12 5,000 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 Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Lozenge(s) Dosage formLozenge Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Folate

680 mcg DFE per serving
  • › Quatrefolic

Vitamin B12

Interacts with
20 drugs
5 mg 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: Fructose, Sorbitol, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Natural Flavors, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Methyl B-12 5,000 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 Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg interact with 20 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 2 ingredients in Methyl B-12 5,000 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 Methyl B-12 5,000 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 Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg, from the product label.

NOW

See all NOW products
Name
NOW FOODS
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
nowfoods.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW: Common Questions

Does Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg by NOW interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Methyl B-12 5,000 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?
Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 help my B12 deficiency?
Yes — vitamin B12 is effective for treating B12 deficiency, and this lozenge is a common way to get it. How quickly you'll feel better depends on how low your levels are and your absorption, so follow up with your doctor to confirm it's working.
I take metformin for diabetes. Is this safe?
It's safe to take together, but metformin can lower your B12 levels over time by interfering with absorption. Many doctors recommend B12 supplementation for people on metformin long-term, so this is actually a good pairing — just make sure your provider knows you're taking it so they can monitor your levels.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant?
B12 is safe at normal recommended amounts during pregnancy and is actually needed for healthy pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or midwife about the right dose for you.
Can I take this if I'm breastfeeding?
Yes — B12 is important during breastfeeding and is safe at recommended amounts. Your provider can confirm the dose is right for your situation.
What are the side effects?
B12 is generally well tolerated, especially in oral form like this lozenge. Rarely, some people report allergic reactions like rash or itching. If you have a known cobalt allergy, mention that to your pharmacist since cobalt is part of the B12 molecule.

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.

Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Methyl B-12 5,000 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

Methyl B-12 5,000 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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