Be Cautious: There are no FDA approved "shots" for weight loss.

This includes B-12 shots, lipo-dissolvers, mesotherapy, amino acid, and chromium shots. None of these have been shown more effective than placebo, and all create false expectations of effortless weight loss (a specific prohibition of the Florida Board of Medicine). Florida Board of Medicine Rule 64B defines as fraudulent and deceptive any ads that suggest rapid, dramatic or effortless weight loss. Be skeptical of any clinic suggesting weight loss with secret formula "nutrition" injections. These shots are often given by unlicensed staff selling them on commission.

 

Update: See the April 2010 FDA Warning about lipodissolve product claims.

 

There are several points you should know about "B-12 Shots" in weight loss programs. The following information is taken directly from the product brochure. There are other points not described here, and your doctor must provide the product package insert for your own review on request. If you are told the vitamin shot is a secret formula, leave.

B-12 shots do not cause weight loss

Other clinics may require them 2 or 3 times a week to generate more return visits. This is unnecessary and can be painful. We do not have sales staff on commission pushing shots.

B-12 is not approved by the FDA for weight loss

Nor is it approved for boosting energy. B-12 has no effect in either circumstance.

Appropriate reasons for using B-12 shots:

Mal absorption, tape worm infections, intraveneous feedings, and cancer of the bowel and pancreas. A Weight Loss Diet is not included in the list.

Warning for patients offered B-12 shots

Vitamin shots are drugs requiring a prescription by a licensed professional. If a doctor thinks you need B-12, the standard of care is a B-12 blood level first.

Aluminum Risks

Since 2004, as a result of cases of aluminum toxicity, the companies making B-12 are required to state on the label "Warning: This product contains Aluminum that may be toxic."

Suggested references on the Aluminum warning include the actual Federal Drug Administration Rule 2004 and the excellent review article Aluminum Toxicity by M. Edwards in Emedicine, 6/2006, and two other peer reviewed medical journals on the subject: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 2007 v.64:730-746 and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 1992 Feb;2(8): 1318-27.

Infection Risks

Abcesses with shots can occur, and this risk is increased when large numbers of shots are drawn up in advance. These injections require a long needle and are painful.

Remember, weight loss is difficult and optimism is important. Be realistic, safe and hopeful. Trust your doctor, but ask questions and read the patient information in the package insert. Remember, there are no approved shots for weight loss, including B-12, mesotherapy and lipo-dissolvers.