Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Ascorbic acid, Pyridoxine, Nicotinamide, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Glucose monohydrate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
FOR
Vitamins B and C are important for a number of bodily functions including releasing energy from food and in the formation of healthy skin, bones and teeth. Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion ('Vitamin B&C IVHP') provides additional vitamins B and C to correct deficiencies that may have occurred, for example: • in alcoholism • after infections • after operations • in certain psychiatric states. The product is also used to maintain levels of vitamins B and C in patients who are on long-term intermittent haemodialysis. 2.
What you need to know before you take it
VITAMIN B&C IVHP
You MUST NOT be given Vitamin B&C IVHP: • if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6) • if you have a history of sensitivity to vitamins B and/or C. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor before taking Vitamin B&C IVHP. Vitamin B&C IVHP should be given with extreme caution if you have: • ever had a mild allergic reaction (sneezing or mild asthma) to any previous injections of vitamin B1 (thiamine). This could mean that you may have become hypersensitive, and could have a more severe allergic reaction if given Vitamin B&C IVHP. Other medicines and Vitamin B&C IVHP Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take, any other medicines. • Levodopa (used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease) – Vitamin B&C IVHP interferes with the effects of this medicine. • Vitamin B1 (thiamine) injections – if you are on repeated injections of such preparations, Vitamin B&C IVHP may cause sneezing or mild asthma (chest tightness and wheezing) or even anaphylactic shock if you have become hypersensitive. 1
Pregnancy and breast-feeding Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Driving and using machines Vitamin B&C IVHP is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Vitamin B&C IVHP contains sodium: This medicine contains 79 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each 1 pair of 5 ml ampoules. This is equivalent to 4% of the recommended daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult. 3.
How to take it
Vitamin B&C IVHP will be given to you by a healthcare professional by drip infusion into a vein. The product comes in two ampoules, the contents of which are first diluted with either saline or 5% glucose solution and then given over a period of 30 minutes. This medicine is for injection into a vein only and should not be given by any other route. Dilute before use. Dosage for adults including the elderly: • For rapid therapy of severe depletion or malabsorption of water soluble vitamins B and C, particularly in alcoholism: 2 to 3 pairs of 5 ml ampoules (1 pair = ampoule 1 + ampoule 2) diluted with 50 ml to 100 ml of infusion solution and injected over 30 minutes at intervals decided by your doctor (typically every 8 hours). • For psychosis following unconsciousness from a narcotic drug (narcosis) or electroconvulsive therapy, or poisoning from infection: 10 ml of the mixed ampoules (1 pair) diluted with 50 ml to 100 ml of infusion solution and injected over 30 minutes. Injected twice daily for up to 7 days. • For haemodialysis patients: 10 ml of the mixed ampoules (1 pair) diluted with 50 ml to 100 ml of infusion solution and injected over 30 minutes. Injected at the end of dialysis, once every 2 weeks. Use in children and adolescents: Vitamin B&C IVHP is not usually given to children; however, suitable doses according to the child's age are: Age under 6 years 6-10 years 10-14 years 14 years and older
Dose 1/4 of the adult dose 1/3 of the adult dose 1/2 to 2/3 of the adult dose one adult dose
The exact dose you will be given will be decided by your doctor who will monitor your condition and determine what treatment you need. If you feel that you have been given an inappropriate dose or if you would like more information about Vitamin B&C IVHP, speak to your doctor. If you are given more Vitamin B&C IVHP than you should This product will be given to you under medical supervision. It is therefore unlikely that you will be given too much. However, if you feel unwell, you should tell your doctor immediately. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor.
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4.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. • Allergic reaction – if following your injection you experience symptoms such as sneezing or mild asthma (chest tightness and wheezing) tell your doctor immediately. This may be an indication that you are sensitive to Vitamin B&C IVHP and should not be given a repeat dose. • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) – may result from repeated injections of this medicine. Symptoms may include: swelling of the face and or throat, rash, severe itching, difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness due to very low blood pressure. • Low blood pressure and feeling of 'pins and needles' (mild paraesthesia) can occur in some patients. • Mild ache at the site of the injection – some swelling may develop at the site of injection. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
How to store it
VITAMIN B&C IVHP
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Vitamin B&C IVHP should be stored below 25oC but not frozen, and protected from light. Once diluted in an infusion fluid Vitamin B&C IVHP should normally be used immediately. If necessary the diluted product can be kept at 2-8°C, or at 25°C, protected from light, for 24 hours in the following infusion fluids:
- Glucose 5%
- Physiological saline (sodium chloride 0.9%) Do not freeze diluted solution. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the outer carton and ampoule labels after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
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6.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Vitamin B&C IVHP contains The active ingredients are: AMPOULE 1 thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1) riboflavin (vitamin B2) pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) AMPOULE 2 ascorbic acid (vitamin C) nicotinamide glucose (as monohydrate)
5 ml 250 mg 4 mg 50 mg 500 mg 160 mg 1000 mg
The other ingredients are: edetic acid, sodium hydroxide and water for injections. What Vitamin B&C IVHP looks like and contents of the pack The product is supplied in pairs of amber coloured glass ampoules containing 5 ml of sterile solution. Each pack contains 6 or 10 pairs of 5 ml ampoules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder Grünenthal Limited TOR Building, Saint Cloud Way, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 8BN, United Kingdom Manufacturer Haupt Pharma Wülfing GmbH Bethelner Landstraße 18 D-31028 Gronau/Leine Germany. This leaflet was last revised: 07/2025
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Frequently asked questions about Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion
How do I take Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion?
Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion comes as infusion. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion?
The active substance in Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion is ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, nicotinamide, thiamine, riboflavin, glucose monohydrate.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, nicotinamide, thiamine, riboflavin, glucose monohydrate
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion ('Vitamin B&C IVHP') is indicated in adults and children for rapid therapy of severe depletion or malabsorption of the water soluble vitamins B and C:
• particularly in alcoholism, where a severe depletion of thiamine can lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy
• after acute infections
• post-operatively
• in psychiatric states
Also used to maintain levels of vitamin B and C in patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults and elderly:
Rapid therapy of severe depletion or malabsorption of the water soluble vitamins B and C, particularly in alcoholism, where a severe depletion of thiamine can lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy
10 ml solution from Ampoule Number 1
PLUS
10 ml solution from Ampoule Number 2
OR
15 ml solution from Ampoule Number 1
PLUS
15 ml solution from Ampoule Number 2
2 to 3 pairs of 5 ml ampoules (1 pair = ampoule 1 + ampoule 2) diluted with 50 ml to 100 ml infusion solution (physiological saline or glucose 5%) and administered over 30 minutes every 8 hours, or at the discretion of the physician.
Psychosis following narcosis or E.C.T; toxicity from acute infections
5 ml Ampoule Number 1
PLUS
5 ml Ampoule Number 2
1 pair of 5 ml ampoules diluted with 50 ml to 100 ml infusion solution (physiological saline or glucose 5%) administered over 30 minutes twice daily for up to 7 days.
Haemodialysis
5 ml Ampoule Number 1
PLUS
5 ml Ampoule Number 2
1 pair of 5 ml ampoules diluted with 50 ml to 100 ml infusion solution (physiological saline or glucose 5%) administered over 30 minutes once every two weeks at the end of dialysis.
Paediatric population
Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion is rarely indicated for administration to children; however, suitable doses are as follows:
Under 6 years
quarter of the adult dose
6 - 10 years
third of the adult dose
10 - 14 years
half to two thirds of the adult dose
14 years and over
as for the adult dose
Method of administration
Dilute before use.
Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion should be administered by drip infusion. Equal volumes of the contents of ampoules number 1 and 2 should be added to 50 ml to 100 ml physiological saline or 5% glucose and infused over 30 minutes (see sections 6.3 and 6.6).
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Although potentially serious allergic adverse reactions such as anaphylactic shock may occur rarely during, or shortly after, parenteral administration of Vitamin B&C IVHP, such rare occurrence of serious allergic reactions should not preclude the use of Vitamin B&C IVHP in patients who need treatment by this route of administration particularly those at risk of Wernicke's encephalopathy - for whom treatment with parenteral thiamine is essential.
Initial warning signs of a reaction to Vitamin B&C IVHP are sneezing or mild asthma and those treating patients need to note that the administration of further injections to such patients may give rise to anaphylactic shock. Facilities for treating anaphylactic reactions should be available whenever Vitamin B&C IVHP is administered. To minimise the risk of such events with Vitamin B&C IVHP, this medicinal product should be administered by infusion over a period of 30 minutes.
This medicine is for injection into a vein only and should not be given by any other route
Care should be taken to ensure that the route of administration used (intramuscular or intravenous) is that intended – reports of unintentional administration by the wrong route have been received; these incidents have not been associated with serious adverse reactions.
In common with all parenteral products each ampoule should be visually inspected prior to administration and should not be used if particulates are present.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The content of pyridoxine may interfere with the effects of concurrent levodopa therapy.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
No adverse effects have been reported at recommended doses when used as clinically indicated.
Animal studies are insufficient with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.
Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However given the nature of the product, no effects are anticipated.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Adverse reactions reported as possibly associated to Vitamin B&C IVHP are presented in the following table by MedDRA System Organ Class (SOC), Preferred Term and frequency. The following frequency categories are used:
Very common (>1/10);
Common (>1/100, <1/10);
Uncommon (>1/1,000, <1/100);
Rare (>1/10,000, <1/1,000);
Very rare (<1/10,000), including isolated reports.
Post-marketing adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population with an unknown rate of exposure. Therefore it is not possible to estimate the true incidence of adverse reactions and the frequency is “unknown”.
Tabulated summary of adverse reactions
SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS (SOC)
FREQUENCY
ADVERSE REACTION
Immune system disorders
Unknown
Hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis, rash and urticaria)
Nervous system disorders
Unknown
Paraesthesia
Vascular disorders
Unknown
Hypotension
General disorders and administration site conditions
Unknown
Injection site reactions (including pain and swelling)
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
In the unlikely event of overdosage, treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Ascorbic acid, Pyridoxine, Nicotinamide, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Glucose monohydrate. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
- GLUCOSTERIL 5 g/100 ml prescription partial — not the same combinationGLUCOSUM · injection / infusion
- GLUCOSTERIL 10 g/100 ml prescription partial — not the same combinationGLUCOSUM · injection / infusion
- GLUCOZA 50 mg/ml prescription partial — not the same combinationGLUCOSUM · injection / infusion
- DEXTROSE VIOSER 5 g/100 ml prescription partial — not the same combinationGLUCOSUM · injection / infusion
- DEXTROSE VIOSER 10 g/100 ml prescription partial — not the same combinationGLUCOSUM · injection / infusion
- GLUCOSE B. BRAUN 50 mg/ml prescription partial — not the same combinationGLUCOSUM · injection / infusion
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Ascorbic acid, Pyridoxine, Nicotinamide, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Glucose monohydrate. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
- Vitaminum C Biowet Puławy partial — not the same combinationAcidum ascorbicum · injection / infusion
- VICI partial — not the same combinationAcidum ascorbicum · injection / infusion
- Acidum ascorbicum Delfarma partial — not the same combinationAcidum ascorbicum · injection / infusion
- Vitaminum C Swiss2Care partial — not the same combinationAcidum ascorbicum · injection / infusion
- Vitaminum C Neupharm partial — not the same combinationAcidum ascorbicum · injection / infusion
- Acidum ascorbicum Aga Kommerz partial — not the same combinationAcidum ascorbicum · injection / infusion
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Pabrinex/Vitamin B&C Intravenous High Potency, Concentrate for Solution for Infusion. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.