Intravenous methylcobalamin treatment for uremic and diabetic neuropathy in chronic hemodialysis patients

Intern Med. 1999 Jun;38(6):472-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.38.472.

Abstract

Object: To study the effects of the intravenous administration of methylcobalamin, an analogue of vitamin B12, for uremic or uremic-diabetic polyneuropathy in patients who are receiving maintenance hemodialysis. An ultra-high dose of vitamin B12 has been reported to promote peripheral nerve regeneration in experimental neuropathy.

Methods: Nine patients received a 500 microg methylcobalamin injection 3 times a week for 6 months. The effects were evaluated using neuropathic pain grading and a nerve conduction study.

Results: Serum concentrations of vitamin B12 were ultra-high during treatment due to the lack of urinary excretion. After 6 months of treatment, the patients' pain or paresthesia had lessened, and the ulnar motor and median sensory nerve conduction velocities showed significant improvement. There were no side effects.

Conclusion: Intravenous methycobalamin treatment is a safe and potentially beneficial therapy for neuropathy in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction / drug effects
  • Pain Measurement
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / therapy
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uremia / complications
  • Uremia / physiopathology
  • Uremia / therapy*
  • Vitamin B 12 / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin B 12 / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin B 12 / therapeutic use

Substances

  • mecobalamin
  • Vitamin B 12