Vitamins

Question 1

What is thiamine (vitamin B1) indicated for?

Answer 1

Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis caused by severe thiamine deficiency

Question 2

What is folic acid (the synthetic form of folate or vitamin B9) indicated for?

Answer 2

megaloblastic anaemia due to folate deficiency, and in the first trimester of pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

Question 3

What is Hydroxocobalamin and cyanocobalamin (synthetic forms of cobalamin or vitamin B12) indicated for?

Answer 3

megaloblastic anaemia and subacute combined degeneration of the cord as a result of vitamin B12 deficiency.

(MHRA warning of allergic reaction if patient has cobalt allergy - immediate or delayed 72hhrs reaction )

Question 4

What is phytomenadione (the plant form of vitamin K) indicated for?

Answer 4

recommended for all newborn babies to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding and is used for reversal of warfarin anticoagulation