Hydroxocobalamin

About This Product

Hydroxocobalamin is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B12 carrying a hydroxyl group at the sixth coordination position on the cobalt. It is supplied as a dark red crystalline powder and is the form most used in injectable preparations. Its pharmacology reflects that structure in two ways. As a B12 supplement it binds more strongly to plasma proteins than cyanocobalamin and is retained far longer in the body, so injections can be given at much wider intervals, which is why it is the preferred parenteral form for treating pernicious anaemia and malabsorption. Its second use follows from the same chemistry in reverse. The hydroxyl ligand is readily displaced by cyanide, which has a very high affinity for the cobalt centre, forming cyanocobalamin, a stable, non-toxic compound that is simply excreted in urine. Administered intravenously at gram doses, hydroxocobalamin therefore scavenges cyanide directly from the bloodstream, and it is a first-line antidote for cyanide poisoning, including smoke inhalation, where its safety in patients who turn out not to be poisoned is a decisive advantage over older antidotes. It is used in injectable B12 preparations, cyanide poisoning antidotes, nutritional supplements, pharmaceutical manufacture and in veterinary medicine. Bio Green Chem supplies hydroxocobalamin to specification on assay, loss on drying, appearance, related substances, light protection, heavy metals and microbiology.