Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Vitamin B12 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Carotec

Lozenge Category: Vitamin
Most serious interaction: Minor
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Minor

Vitamin B12 is a dietary supplement by Carotec 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.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Vitamin B12 by Carotec

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

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.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This lozenge contains 2 active ingredients, both forms of vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 itself and MecobalActive (another B12 compound). They work the same way in your body — helping with energy production, nerve function, and red blood cell formation.

The lozenges dissolve in your mouth rather than being swallowed whole, which can help with absorption.

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: Supports healthy energy, heart health, and nerve function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Fatigue, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Peripheral neuropathy, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy — and 4 related terms.
  • 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 Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, Diabetic neuropathy, Fatigue, and more.

B12 from this product is effective for treating B12 deficiency and a rare condition called Imerslund-Grasbeck disease. It's also likely effective for cyanide poisoning.

The evidence is possibly effective for canker sores and a type of nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia (pain that lingers after shingles).

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.

Vitamin B12 is generally well tolerated, and there's no established upper limit because your body clears the excess through urine. It's needed during pregnancy and breastfeeding and is considered safe at recommended amounts — just follow your provider's guidance.

Allergic reactions are rare but possible, mainly skin rashes or itching; in theory they could be related to the cobalt in the B12 molecule, though this is uncommon. Very rarely, correcting a severe B12 deficiency can cause a drop in potassium (a mineral your heart needs), so if you have severe anemia, your doctor should monitor you.

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, flag it — metformin can lower B12 and reduce how much of this supplement your body can absorb. Check your exact medications below to see if there are any other interactions we should know about.

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.

B12 lozenges are a solid choice if you're deficient or have absorption issues. If you take metformin for diabetes, this is still fine to use — just be aware the metformin is working against you on B12 levels.

Talk to your pharmacist before starting if you have a history of cobalt allergy or severe anemia.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 22, 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 Vitamin B12, straight from the product label.

Brand Carotec
Barcode (UPC) 769293293963
Net contents 60 Lozenge(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 22, 2024
DSLD ID 320976
Product type Vitamin
Supplement form Lozenge
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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 Vitamin B12 by Carotec, 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
60
UPC/BARCODE
769293293963
IngredientAmount% DV
Vitamin B121000 mcg41667%
MecobalActive1000 mcg41667%

Other ingredients: Xylitol, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Malic Acid, Cherry Flavor, Natural, Beet, Powder

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

Directions: As a dietary supplement, adult take 1 (one) lozenge daily or as directed by your healthcare professional. Place under tongue and allow to dissolve slowly, altering its position to avoid prolonged contact with the same area.

Precautions

As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care provider.

Warning: This product is only intended to be consumed by healthy individuals over the age of 18 years. Keep out of the reach of children.

If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Tamper Evident: Do not use if outer seal & seal under cap is broken or missing.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Formulation

Supports healthy energy Supports heart health Supports normal homocysteine levels Supports nerve function

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.

Brand IP Statement(s)

MeCobalActive is a registered trademark of HealthTech Bio Actives, S.L.U.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

MecobalActive The active form of B12

See for yourself

Vitamin B12 by Carotec label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Vitamin B12 by Carotec

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 container60 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.

Vitamin B12

Interacts with
20 drugs
1000 mcg per serving Form: Adenosylcobalamin

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

MecobalActive

Interacts with
20 drugs
1000 mcg per serving Form: Methylcobalamin, Vitamin B12

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...

MecobalActive monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Xylitol, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Malic Acid, Cherry Flavor, Natural, Beet, Powder. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Vitamin B12 by Carotec Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Vitamin B12?

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Vitamin B12 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Vitamin B12, from the product label.

Carotec

See all Carotec products
Name
Carotec, Inc.
Street Address
PO Box 140940
City
Coral Gables
State
FL
ZipCode
33114
Phone Number
1-800-522-4279
Web Address
www.carotec.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Vitamin B12 by Carotec: Common Questions

Does Vitamin B12 by Carotec interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Vitamin B12 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?
Vitamin B12 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.
Is B12 safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes. B12 is actually needed during pregnancy and breastfeeding and is considered safe at recommended amounts. Just follow your doctor's or midwife's advice on dosing.
Can I take this with metformin?
Yes, but know that metformin can interfere with B12 absorption over time, potentially lowering your B12 levels. Your doctor may monitor your levels if you're on both long-term.
What are the side effects?
B12 lozenges are very well tolerated. Allergic reactions like rash or itching are rare. Very rarely, if you have severe anemia, correcting the B12 deficiency can cause a drop in potassium, so serious deficiency needs medical supervision.
Does this work for canker sores?
The evidence suggests B12 may help with canker sores, but the proof is limited. It's considered possibly effective rather than proven.
What's MecobalActive?
It's another form of vitamin B12 in this lozenge — works the same way as regular B12 in your body to support energy, nerves, and red blood cells.

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

Not sure if Vitamin B12 is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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.

Vitamin B12 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Vitamin B12'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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