Vitamin B-12 is administered to people with a deficiency of the essential vitamin. B-12 is also being used to treat a plethora of conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, memory loss and to slow aging, according to MedlinePlus. As with any medication, you may develop adverse reactions to this supplement. Some reactions may be allergy-related and others may be common side effects. People with certain conditions should not take vitamin B-12. Talk with your doctor before you use vitamin B-12 or any other vitamin to treat a medical condition.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions occur when your immune system doesn't recognize a particular substance as safe. The body overreacts and attempts to fight off the substance. This reaction causes the immune system to produce antibodies that attempt to neutralize the substance. Antibodies trigger the production of histamine, which is primarily responsible for most symptoms. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction to vitamin B-12 include hives, swelling in the face, tongue or throat and difficulty breathing, according to Drugs.com. A severe allergic reaction could be life-threatening and needs to be evaluated by a medical doctor immediately.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects may be similar to that of an allergic reaction and should be reported to your doctor for assessment. Common side effects include chest pain, swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, unusual warmth, redness, headache, weakness, pain, fever, joint pain, numbness or tingling, notes Drugs.com. If these symptoms occur, discontinue the use of the vitamin until you see your doctor. This is not a complete list of possible side effects and if you experience any unusual symptoms while taking vitamin B-12, you should contact a health care professional.
Considerations
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, vitamin B-12 is considered safe when taken as directed. Women who are pregnant should not take more than 2.6 micrograms per day and breast-feeding women shouldn't take more than 2.8 micrograms daily. MedlinePlus warns to not take this vitamin if you have Leber's disease. Taking B-12 if you have this eye disease could cause severe harm to the optic nerve, which could lead to blindness. If you have megaloblastic anemia, using B-12 may also cause serious side effects.
Anaphylaxis
Although rare, you may experience anaphylactic shock after taking vitamin B-12. Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that causes sudden symptoms that can lead to death. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include vomiting, a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, swelling, shortness of breath and the feeling of a lump in your throat. You may need an injection of epinephrine to alleviate your symptoms and should seek prompt medical care.
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