# Vitamin B12

cyanocobalamin · hydroxocobalamin · methylcobalamin

https://graded.pl/en/substances/vitamin-b12 · Checked: Not yet

Preliminary version. The editors have not finished checking this card, and grades may change.

A vitamin available as an injectable medicine for a shortage. Injections for energy or weight loss are a different use.

> This site is for information and education only. It does not promote or encourage the use or purchase of the substances described and is not medical advice. Many are not authorised as medicines and their safety has not been established. We sell nothing and have no ties to sellers. For health decisions, consult a doctor.

## Short answers

### Does Vitamin B12 work?

A vitamin available as an injectable medicine for a shortage. Injections for energy or weight loss are a different use. We have not graded the studies yet. The number of papers in the databases is shown on the page.

### Is Vitamin B12 legal?

PL: Approved medicine. Approved as Vitaminum B12 Wzf and Sf injections, and as Cobalaxin and Energamma by mouth (European medicines database, EMA, 9 October 2026). EU: Approved medicine. Separate national medicines in 31 countries of the European medicines database, EMA (9 October 2026). US: Prescription only. Prescription medicine (cyanocobalamin).

### Is Vitamin B12 banned in sport?

Not on the list, WADA 2026. The substance is not on the WADA list, but drips and injections above 100 mL in 12 hours are banned, except in hospital care and medical tests.

### Is Vitamin B12 safe?

Well known. An old medicine with a US label. The label describes severe damage to the optic nerve in people with early Leber disease, a rare eye condition.

## Is it legal

- PL: Approved medicine. Approved as Vitaminum B12 Wzf and Sf injections, and as Cobalaxin and Energamma by mouth (European medicines database, EMA, 9 October 2026). https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/article-57-product-data_en.xlsx (Checked: Not yet)
- EU: Approved medicine. Separate national medicines in 31 countries of the European medicines database, EMA (9 October 2026). https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/article-57-product-data_en.xlsx (Checked: Not yet)
- US: Prescription only. Prescription medicine (cyanocobalamin). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=215107 (Checked: Not yet)

## Doping

Not on the list, WADA 2026. https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/trb-2026-25.html

## How much research exists

- Scientific papers: 529
- Studies with random groups: 37
- Registered studies in people: 143
- These are search results. A count shows how much exists, not how good the studies are. 1 Nov 2026.

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Open data: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/