B12 Shot Cost

Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Vitamin B12 injections seem to be the new trend among celebrities. Charlize Theron, Justin Timberlake, and Madonna are just a few of the celebrities who claim that regular vitamin B12 injections help them to be more energetic, fight fatigue and even contribute to skin health.

How Much Does a B12 Shot Cost?

The sum of money you are going to pay for a B12 shot will be influenced by the number of shots purchased, where you buy it from, and the shot brand. If you are going to a local doctor’s office you will have to pay anywhere between $25 and $80, while the cost of a B12 injection purchased online that you can take at home is anywhere between $15 and $25. The majority of the individuals will receive this shot every 30 to 90 days. According to our research, 99 percent of the time the shot will not be covered by medical insurance.

You might also like our articles on the cost of B12 vitamin drops, personal nutritionists, or prenatal vitamins.

According to their official pricing list, CVS Minute Clinic offers B12 shots at its locations for around $35.

There is a study made by NCBI where they compared B12 injections with oral supplements. They have found that you will be able to save up to 16% if you choose the oral alternative, with the annual cost of B12 injections being almost $150 per individual.

 Vitamin B12 shot overview

In addition to obtaining B-12 from food, people can also get this vitamin in the form of an intramuscularly injectable supplement known as cyanocobalamin.

Intramuscular injections of vitamin B-12 are injections that contain high levels of cyanocobalamin. These injections, which can be self-administered or given by a doctor, can quickly increase B-12 levels.

In general, B12 shots can be done at a local pharmacy clinic, your doctor’s office, or a local medical spa, or you can buy them online without a prescription and take them at home.

The best places for vitamin B12 shots include the buttocks, upper arm, outer hip, or thigh.

What are the extra costs?

The price estimates we presented above are available only for the shot administered and if you want to go to a local doctor’s office, you may have to pay an office visit fee.

In order to check if the shots were effective a routine blood test will be required to measure your B12 levels.

 Important things to consider

Vitamin B12 is very important for the proper functioning of the nervous system and plays a key role in the formation of red blood cells. It also helps maintain cognitive function and supports DNA synthesis.

It is estimated that 6% of people in the US and the UK aged 60 or over are deficient in vitamin B12, while about 20% have low to normal or borderline levels.

However, most people do not need such injections, diet, and possibly oral supplements being enough to regulate vitamin B12 levels.

In fact, a 2019 study showed that sublingual supplements (when you put a tablet under the tongue and it dissolves in a few seconds) with vitamin B12 are more effective than intramuscular injections, which are quite painful and will have to be taken regularly for several months.

It should also be noted that B12 injections can only be given on the advice of a doctor if the doctor considers that they are really necessary and there are no contraindications in this regard.

 Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

The human body stores vitamin B12 in the liver for many years, so low levels are rare. Decreased levels of vitamin B12 are more common in the elderly, people living with HIV, and people who are vegan.

If you have any of the following symptoms and especially if you have a low erythrocyte count, you should talk to your doctor about the vitamin B12 levels.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can go unnoticed because many of the symptoms – fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss – are similar to the symptoms of minor illnesses or chronic conditions.

Other symptoms of B12 deficiency, such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, are also common in people with diabetes and a herniated disc.

B12 shot – what are the side effects?

As with any other injection, a vitamin B12 shot post-injection side can also go through side effects, the most common being nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and fever.

More severe symptoms include irregular heartbeat, suffocation, and muscle cramps. These symptoms are rare, but if they do occur, you should consult a doctor immediately.

How can I save money?

It is recommended to buy more than one shot at a time because many walk-in clinics may offer a bulk discount if you buy five to ten shots at once. Make sure you ask the clinic about such discounts.

As these shots can be done at home, you don’t need the help of a doctor to administer the injections.

Take into consideration buying and taking Vitamin B12 supplements instead of shots, if the injections are too expensive or the thought of taking a shot scares you.