Patient acceptance of intranasal cobalamin gel for vitamin B12 replacement therapy.

PURPOSE Determine acceptance of and compliance with intranasal cobalamin (vitamin B12) replacement therapy. METHODS Veteran subjects were recruited from VA Outpatient facilities in Hawai'i. Information was obtained by interview and medical record review. Subjects received the standard dose of intranasal cobalamin of 500 micrograms intranasally, once a week. A follow-up questionnaire was administered at one and three months of therapy RESULTS Thirty-four subjects were enrolled in the study Ages ranged from 29 to 87 years of age, with a mean age of 68.6. Ninety-seven percent were men, 59% were Caucasian, and 35% were Asian/Pacific Islanders. At the end of three months, 30 patients had completed the study. Ninety percent preferred the gel over injection. In the subset of subjects with a history of depression, only 60% preferred intranasal gel. CONCLUSION Veteran patients tolerated intranasal cobalamin gel well. The majority of patients preferred intranasal over intramuscular injection of vitamin B12.