Vitamin
Hydroxocobalamin Acetate
Also known as: Hydroxocobalamin, Hydroxo-B12, Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin form), OHCbl
Hydroxocobalamin is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B12 that plays essential roles in energy metabolism, nervous system function, and red blood cell formation. The acetate salt improves stability and bioavailability compared to standard cyanocobalamin.
Last reviewed June 2026 · Evidence graded from peer-reviewed research, not editorial opinion. Educational only — not medical advice.
Every Hydroxocobalamin Acetate product we have scored
| # | Product | Score | Per serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thorne Vitamin B12 | 96 A | $0.40 |
| 2 | Thorne Craving and Stress Support | 93 A | $1.33 |
| 3 | Thorne Methyl-Guard® | 93 A | $0.93 |
| 4 | Thorne Methyl-Guard Plus | 91 A | $2.07 |
| 5 | Pure Encapsulations B-Complex liquid | 91 A | $1.34 |
| 6 | Thorne Thyroid Health Complex | 90 A | $0.33 |
| 7 | Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout | 90 A | $1.67 |
| 8 | Nutricost Vitamin B12 Capsules | 90 A | $0.07 |
| 9 | Nature Made Vitamin B12 Maximum Strength 5000 mcg Softgels | 90 A | $0.37 |
| 10 | Life Extension Thyroid Support Complex | 90 A | $0.90 |
| 11 | Pure Encapsulations B12 liquid | 89 A | $0.73 |
| 12 | Pure Encapsulations Methylcobalamin 1,000 mcg | 89 A | $0.28 |
Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing. Per-serving cost is list price divided by servings per container. No brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Common questions
How much Hydroxocobalamin Acetate should I take?
The typical range is 500 mcg to 2,000 mcg daily. Vitamin B12 stores in the liver, so daily supplementation for maintenance or 6-12 weeks for deficiency repletion
When should I take Hydroxocobalamin Acetate?
With breakfast or first meal of the day for optimal absorption. Can be taken with or without food; sublingual forms bypass digestive absorption.
Which form of Hydroxocobalamin Acetate is best?
Tablet. Other forms in the catalog: Sublingual tablet, Injection, Powder.
Is Hydroxocobalamin Acetate safe?
Commonly reported: Rare; extremely low toxicity, Occasional mild headache or dizziness at high doses, Acne-like skin reactions in sensitive individuals (very rare).
Which Hydroxocobalamin Acetate supplement scores highest?
Thorne Vitamin B12, at 96/100. Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing — no brand pays to be listed or ranked.
Daily target & upper limit
2.4 mcg / dayHydroxocobalamin Acetate has an established daily reference intake. See best forms, label synonyms, upper-limit warnings, and top-scoring supplements:
Hydroxocobalamin Acetate dosage reference →Primary uses
- Energy and metabolism support
- Neurological health and cognitive function
- Red blood cell formation and oxygen transport
- Homocysteine metabolism
- Nervous system maintenance
How it works
- Cofactor in methylation reactions and DNA synthesis
- Essential for myelin formation and nerve function
- Supports conversion of homocysteine to methionine
- Participates in energy metabolism via citric acid cycle
Dosage
- Typical range
- 500 mcg to 2,000 mcg daily
- Timing
- With breakfast or first meal of the day for optimal absorption
- With food
- Can be taken with or without food; sublingual forms bypass digestive absorption
- Duration
- Vitamin B12 stores in the liver, so daily supplementation for maintenance or 6-12 weeks for deficiency repletion
- Special populations
- Vegans and vegetarians have higher requirements; older adults may have reduced intrinsic factor and benefit from supplemental forms; pernicious anemia patients require medical supervision
Forms
- Tablet· 70/100
- Injection· 70/100
- Powder· 70/100
Safety
Common side effects
- Rare; extremely low toxicity
- Occasional mild headache or dizziness at high doses
- Acne-like skin reactions in sensitive individuals (very rare)
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to cobalamin or acetate
- Leber's disease (hereditary optic neuropathy) — avoid due to risk of worsening vision
Products containing Hydroxocobalamin Acetate
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list Hydroxocobalamin Acetate on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Evidence notes
Vitamin B12 has extensive RCT evidence for preventing deficiency and supporting energy, cognition, and neurological health. Hydroxocobalamin is the preferred form in clinical settings due to superior tissue retention and conversion efficiency compared to cyanocobalamin.
Grade A: Multiple well-designed human trials support the main claims.
Related in Vitamin
Check a full stack
Formulate's free interaction checker lets you paste in any combination of supplements and medications at once — every pairing flags severity, timing, and cited evidence.
Open the checkerWhere does Hydroxocobalamin Acetate fit in your stack?
Answer two questions and get a stack graded on research — every ingredient scored on the evidence behind it, not the marketing.
Build my stack2 questions · free · no account needed to start
Also on iPhone — get the free app
Evidence-based supplement guides, no spam
We send a short digest when new guides drop — nothing else. No affiliate pushes, no sponsored content, unsubscribe anytime.
Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Individual needs and risks vary — consult a professional before starting, stopping, or combining supplements, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.