*High doses of orally administered hydroxocobalamin are absorbed in
therapeutically sufficient amounts even if there is no 'intrinsic factor'; the
rest (98%) is excreted in the stool. After parenteral administration of
high doses 30% (or even more?) are quickly excreted through the kidneys.
*Initially about 10 doses are given over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Monitor erythrocyte and reticulocyte count! Smaller doses are usually prescribed in the USA (100-200 µg/day). Orally administered hydroxocobalamin is also effective (initially 200 µg/day, later 1000 µg/day); however, it is not available as a single drug preparation in Switzerland.