The efficacy was particularly highlighted when looking at the marked improvement in serum vitamin B12 levels and hematological parameters , for example hemoglobin level , mean erythrocyte cell volume and reticulocyte count .
Oral cobalamin treatment avoids the discomfort , inconvenience and cost of monthly injections .
TAKE HOME MESSAGE Our experience and the present analysis support the use of oral cobalamin therapy in clinical practice
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Cobalamin ( vitamin B12 ) deficiency is particularly common in the elderly ( > 15 % ) .
Management of cobalamin deficiency with cobalamin injections is well codified at present , but new routes of cobalamin administration ( oral and nasal ) are being studied , especially oral cobalamin therapy for food-cobalamin malabsorption .
AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of oral cobalamin treatment in elderly patients .
Nasal absorption of hydroxocobalamin in healthy elderly adults.
AIMS To investigate the nasal absorption of hydroxocobalamin in 10 healthy elderly adults . METHODS In a cross-over study , blood sample s were collected before administration of the drug and after 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 , 60 , 120 , 180 and 240 min . The plasma cobalamin concentration was determined by competitive radioisotope binding technique . RESULTS The maximal plasma cobalamin concentration ( Cmax ) after nasal administration of 750 microg hydroxocobalamin was 1900 + /- 900 pmol l(-1 ) ( mean + /- s.d . ) . The maximal plasma cobalamin concentration was reached in 35 + /- 13 min ( t[max ] ) . The Cmax after nasal administration of 1500 microg hydroxocobalamin was 3500 + /- 2500 pmol l(-1 ) with a t(max ) of 28 + /- 16 min . Both the AUC(0,240 min ) and AUC(0,00 ) increased significantly with an increase of the dose from 750 microg to 1500 microg ( P = 0.037 and P = 0.028 , respectively ) . The nasal spray was well tolerated . No signs of irritation or local sensitivity were noted . CONCLUSIONS The nasal absorption of hydroxocobalamin in healthy elderly adults is rapid , high and well tolerated
The efficacy was particularly highlighted when looking at the marked improvement in serum vitamin B12 levels and hematological parameters , for example hemoglobin level , mean erythrocyte cell volume and reticulocyte count .
Oral cobalamin treatment avoids the discomfort , inconvenience and cost of monthly injections .
TAKE HOME MESSAGE Our experience and the present analysis support the use of oral cobalamin therapy in clinical practice
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Cobalamin ( vitamin B12 ) deficiency is particularly common in the elderly ( > 15 % ) .
Management of cobalamin deficiency with cobalamin injections is well codified at present , but new routes of cobalamin administration ( oral and nasal ) are being studied , especially oral cobalamin therapy for food-cobalamin malabsorption .
AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of oral cobalamin treatment in elderly patients .