Exclusive use of folic acid in treating vitamin B 12 -deficient megaloblastic anemia could result in progressive and irreversible neurologic damage
The most reliable approach is to verify coverage and authorization requirements with each payer before the injection date, not after the denial arrives
However, these drugs are very expensive, have not been shown to prevent colectomy in severe ulcerative colitis (Aratari 2008), and may cause autoimmune diseases, cancer, infections, and viral reactivation syndromes including shingles (Colombel 2004)
1,2 SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE Figure 1 In the United States and the United Kingdom, the prevalence of vitamin B 12 deficiency is approximately 6% in persons younger than 60 years, and nearly 20% in those older than 60 years
YES NO Keep ice on the painful side