Catosal

Cyanocobalamin is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent a lack of vitamin B12 that may be caused by any of the following:

• pernicious anemia (lack of a natural substance needed to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestine)
• folic acid deficiency
• certain diseases
• infections
• malignancy of pancreas or bowel
• medications that decrease the amount of vitamin B12 absorbed from food
• a vegan diet (strict vegetarian diet that does not allow any animal products, including dairy products and eggs)

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Bayer HealthCare LLC Animal Health Division

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Cyanocobalamin falls into category C.There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Cyanocobalamin should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

However, vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin and requirements are increased during pregnancy. Amounts of vitamin B12 that are recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Science-National Research Council for pregnant women (4 mcg daily) should be consumed during pregnancy.