Dr. Benjamin H. Krasne, M.D.
Board-certified physicianBoard-certified in anesthesiology, he reads medications and metabolism with a pharmacologist's eye, which shapes how he doses weight loss and longevity care.
Weekly B12 shots, prescribed online
B12 injections online for low vitamin B12
If your B12 is low or your body struggles to absorb it, a licensed clinician can prescribe B12 shots you give yourself at home, usually once a week. The subscription is $85 a month.
- Free 5–10 minute consultation
- $85 a month, no insurance needed
- Self-injection at home, once a week
Free to book. You pay only if you go ahead with treatment.
$85per month
Licensed U.S. clinician review
Typical dose: 0.25 mL once a week
$85/motransparent price
5–10 minphone or video
No insuranceneeded
LicensedU.S. clinicians
Why get B12 injections through My IV Doctors
Skip the clinic visits
Your clinician prescribes B12 you inject at home, usually 0.25 mL once a week, so you aren't driving to an office for every shot.
One clear monthly price
The subscription is $85 a month for your prescribed B12, and the first consultation is free. You don't need insurance to get started.
Guidance from day one
You get step-by-step instructions for home injections and sharps disposal, plus ongoing messaging with the care team whenever questions come up.
Dosing that gets reviewed
A licensed clinician follows up to review your dose and how you feel, and explains whether shots, pills or another form fits you best.
How to get B12 injections online
- 1
Pick a time for your free visit
Choose a time online. Your first visit costs nothing, and insurance isn't required.
- 2
Talk with a clinician
In a 5–10 minute phone or video consultation, the clinician asks about your symptoms, diet, medicines and any recent lab results, and may order blood work.
- 3
Your prescription is sent
If B12 shots are right for you, your clinician sends a prescription to a licensed U.S. pharmacy and the medication is shipped to you.
- 4
Learn to inject at home
The care team explains how to draw up the dose, where to inject and how to dispose of sharps. Most people inject 0.25 mL once a week.
- 5
Check in and adjust
Your subscription continues month to month. Message the care team with questions, and your clinician can adjust your plan or repeat labs as needed.
Who B12 injections are for
Low B12 on a blood test
A low or borderline result, especially with symptoms, is the most common reason to start. Your clinician may order labs if you don't have recent results.
Vegans and vegetarians
B12 is found naturally almost only in animal foods, so people who avoid them are at higher risk of running low without supplements or fortified foods.
Taking metformin or acid reducers
Metformin, proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, and H2 blockers can lower how much B12 you absorb from food over time.
B12 absorption problems
Pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, celiac or Crohn's disease, weight-loss surgery and other stomach or bowel operations can all reduce B12 absorption. Older adults are also at higher risk.
Who shouldn't use B12 injections
People allergic to cobalt or cobalamin, or with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, should not start B12 shots without specialist advice. B12 is not a weight-loss treatment.
B12 injections vs. B12 pills: your options
| Option | Cyanocobalamin shot | Methylcobalamin shot | Oral B12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form | Injection at home | Injection at home | Tablet by mouth |
| FDA status | FDA-approved | Compounded, not FDA-approved | Over-the-counter supplement |
| Prescription needed | Yes | Yes | No |
| Often suits | Absorption problems or very low levels | People who prefer this form | Low B12 from diet alone |
What are B12 injections?
Vitamin B12 helps your body make red blood cells and DNA and keeps your nerves working properly. Your body can't make it, so it has to come from food, mainly meat, fish, eggs and dairy, or from fortified foods and supplements. To absorb B12 from food, you need enough stomach acid and a protein made in the stomach called intrinsic factor.
When that system doesn't work well, B12 levels can fall even if you eat plenty of it. A shot sidesteps the gut, putting B12 into muscle or the tissue under the skin so it doesn't depend on stomach absorption. According to MedlinePlus, people whose deficiency comes from a health condition often get B12 shots, and some need them long term.
Low B12 can develop slowly. Symptoms such as tiredness, pale skin, numbness or tingling, balance problems, memory trouble or low mood can take years to show up, and nerve damage may become permanent if treatment is delayed. That's why a clinician looks at your history, symptoms and, often, blood tests before prescribing.
B12 injection dosage and what to expect
The usual home plan is 0.25 mL injected once a week, either into a muscle or just under the skin, depending on what your clinician prescribes. Some people with very low levels need more frequent doses at first, which your clinician will tell you about. Rotating injection sites helps keep each spot comfortable.
How quickly people notice a difference varies. Some feel more energetic within a few weeks; nerve symptoms such as tingling can take longer to improve, and may not fully reverse if the deficiency lasted a long time. If your levels were low because of an absorption problem, you may need shots indefinitely.
Cyanocobalamin vs. methylcobalamin injections
Cyanocobalamin is the FDA-approved injectable form used to treat B12 deficiency. Methylcobalamin is another form that many people ask for. Injectable methylcobalamin comes from licensed U.S. compounding pharmacies and is not FDA-approved; the FDA does not review compounded products for safety or effectiveness before they're sold.
The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that research hasn't shown any one form of B12 to be better than the others. Your clinician will explain which form your prescription uses and why.
B12 injections vs. B12 pills
Not everyone needs injections. If your B12 is low simply because of diet, high-dose oral supplements may be enough, and MedlinePlus notes that some people do well on them. A prescription nasal form also exists.
Shots make the most sense when absorption from the gut is the problem, when levels are very low or symptoms are significant, or when pills haven't worked. Your clinician can talk through the options during your consultation.
B12 injection side effects and safety
The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says vitamin B12 has not been shown to cause harm even at high doses. Injections still carry some risks, and your clinician reviews your history first.
- Common: soreness, redness or a small bruise where you inject, and occasionally mild diarrhea
- Seek emergency care for hives, trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, which could signal an allergic reaction
- Tell your clinician about cobalt allergy, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, kidney disease, heavy alcohol use, pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Call your clinician promptly about muscle cramps or weakness, a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath or swelling in your legs
- Use a new sterile needle each time and dispose of sharps in a proper container
Physicians who oversee your care
Independently licensed U.S. physicians supervise every treatment we offer.
Dr. Johnathan Chance Miller, M.D.
PhysicianTrained at Columbia and Washington University, he pairs prescriptions with practical habits around food, training and sleep.
Dr. Vanessa Niles, R.N., M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
OB-GYN, board certifiedAn OB-GYN for more than 40 years and a Fellow of ACOG, she leads women's health care, from perimenopause to PCOS.
B12 injections FAQs
Still deciding? The first consultation is free and takes about 5–10 minutes.
Book a free consultationHow much do B12 injections cost?
B12 injections are $85 a month as a subscription. Your first consultation is free, you don't need insurance, and the price is confirmed before anything is prescribed.
How often should I get a B12 shot?
Most people inject 0.25 mL once a week. Your clinician may recommend a different schedule if your levels are very low or once they've recovered.
Can I give myself a B12 injection at home?
Yes, this is a home program. The care team walks you through drawing up the dose, choosing a site and disposing of the needle, and most people find it quick after the first few times.
Do I need a blood test before B12 injections?
Often, yes. Your clinician may ask for recent results or order tests such as a B12 level and a blood count to confirm a deficiency and rule out other causes of your symptoms.
What are the symptoms of low B12?
Tiredness, weakness, pale skin, a sore tongue, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, balance problems, low mood and memory trouble are common. Many people have mild or no symptoms at first.
Are B12 injections better than B12 pills?
If your low level is from diet alone, high-dose pills may work. If your body has trouble absorbing B12, shots are usually more reliable. Your clinician will help you decide.
Do B12 shots help with weight loss?
No. B12 doesn't cause weight loss. Correcting a deficiency can help with tiredness, which may make it easier to stay active, but it isn't a weight-loss treatment.
Does metformin lower B12?
It can. Metformin may reduce B12 absorption over time, as can acid-reducing medicines like proton pump inhibitors. If you take these, ask your clinician whether checking your level makes sense.
Is methylcobalamin better than cyanocobalamin?
Research hasn't shown that one form works better. Cyanocobalamin injection is FDA-approved; injectable methylcobalamin is compounded and not FDA-approved. Your clinician will explain which you're prescribed.
Can you take too much B12?
The NIH says B12 hasn't been shown to cause harm even at high doses. Still, follow your prescribed schedule and tell your clinician about any side effects.
How long will I need B12 shots?
It depends on the cause. People with pernicious anemia or past stomach surgery often need lifelong treatment. If your deficiency was from diet, you may be able to switch to oral B12 later.
Can I cancel my B12 subscription?
Your plan renews monthly. Contact the care team if you want to pause or stop, and let your clinician know so they can advise on next steps for your B12 levels.
Can I get B12 injections prescribed online?
Yes. A licensed clinician evaluates you first, and a prescription is written only when treatment is appropriate. The medication is filled by a licensed U.S. pharmacy.
Start B12 injections with a free consultation
Book a free 5–10 minute phone or video visit. If B12 shots are right for you, your clinician prescribes them for $85 a month, with step-by-step home injection guidance.
Related treatments
References
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B12 fact sheet
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
- MedlinePlus: Cyanocobalamin injection
- FDA: Compounding and the FDA, questions and answers
Medically reviewed October 2026. This page is general information and not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. Read our editorial policy.
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