Feeling run down? Low B12 is a common cause. At Chemitex Pharmacy, we offer B12 injections for adults 18+. No GP referral is needed for our private service in Islington.
NHS, private and vet scripts dispensed
Most items ready the same day
Your GP sends scripts straight to us
We handle your regular medication
Vitamin B12 taken orally needs a protein called intrinsic factor. This protein is made in the stomach lining and helps absorb B12 into the bloodstream. People who lack enough intrinsic factor or have gut absorption issues get little help from high-dose oral supplements.
A 1000 mcg intramuscular injection of hydroxocobalamin bypasses digestion. Injecting vitamin B12 directly into the muscle raises levels more reliably than tablets. This is especially true for people with gut absorption issues.
Hydroxocobalamin is the form recommended by the NHS for treating B12 deficiency. It lasts longer in the body than cyanocobalamin. So, it’s the top choice in the UK.
This service is not suitable for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18; please consult your GP or midwife. Other exclusions are allergies to cobalt, active cancer treatment, heart rhythm problems, low potassium, or Leber’s disease. Private care is not for managing lifelong pernicious anaemia; this requires NHS-managed care.
Injections are suitable for adults (18+) when diet or absorption is a factor. Under-18s should see their GP. Common groups include:
If a recent blood test shows low B12 (<150 pmol/L), our team can provide the full clinical loading course for £174 (£29 per injection).
Our service is led by pharmacist Dipesh Jogi (GPhC 2073384). We review your history, including use of oral contraceptives or chloramphenicol, to ensure the 1000 mcg dose is safe for you.
Every injection is given by a GPhC-registered pharmacist. We use hydroxocobalamin, the NHS standard. It stays in the body longer, so you need fewer injections. The appointment takes 15 minutes.
This private service provides flexibility around your schedule. Frequency is set clinically based on standard UK guidelines to ensure safe and effective treatment levels.
Unfortified plant foods contain no B12. Vegans need fortified foods or supplements. If absorption is poor or levels are low, injections provide a reliable way to restore essential B12 levels.
Our hydroxocobalamin is produced via bacterial fermentation, making it suitable for vegans. We can provide product information for the specific batch used upon request.
Schedule online or call us directly for your appointment.
Our pharmacist will review your symptoms and medications upon arrival to ensure suitability.
The injection is administered in the upper arm and takes about 15 minutes.
£29 per injection
There are no hidden consultation fees. The £29 price covers the consultation and the injection itself. If you’re back for repeat injections, the process is simple and faster.
B12 injections are usually well tolerated. Most people have no side effects. The most common reaction is mild soreness or redness at the injection site, which usually goes away within 24 hours.
Sometimes, patients feel a temporary warmth or flushing right after the injection. Itching or a mild rash can happen, but it’s rare. Serious allergic reactions to hydroxocobalamin are very uncommon; our team is ready to handle them if they occur.
If you have an allergy to cobalt or cobalamin compounds, please tell us before your appointment.
This depends on why you’re deficient and whether your body can produce intrinsic factors. For pernicious anaemia, the NHS recommends one injection every other day for two weeks. After that, maintenance injections are given every three months for life. We follow the same clinical guidance in our private service.
Vegans and vegetarians with nutrient deficiencies can often restore their levels with a few injections and regular supplements. Some patients prefer to continue with periodic injections as part of their routine. We’ll discuss the right frequency for your situation at your consultation.
B12 is vital for blood and nerve health. Improvements vary, but the best evidence shows clear benefits when addressing a known deficiency. Boosting already healthy levels offers fewer advantages.
B12 is essential for forming healthy red blood cells. Without it, large abnormal cells form. These cells can't carry oxygen well, leading to megaloblastic anaemia.
The vitamin is needed to maintain the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibres. A deficiency causes pins and needles, numbness, and balance issues. These are signs of later-stage B12 deficiency.
Every dividing cell in the body needs B12 to replicate its DNA accurately. This matters particularly in rapidly renewing tissues.
Low B12 is associated with poor concentration. Correcting a deficiency may help improve mental sharpness, though individual results vary.
B12 helps synthesise mood-regulating chemicals. Some patients notice a lift in mood once the deficiency is resolved and levels are restored.
B12 isn’t a stimulant. However, fixing a deficiency often helps reduce fatigue caused by anaemia and poor cell function.
Every injection is given by a GPhC-registered pharmacist, ensuring high clinical and safety standards are maintained throughout your visit.
We’re on Hornsey Road, close to Holloway Road station and easy to reach from across North London.
£29 per injection, no hidden charges and no mandatory subscription.
We use hydroxocobalamin, the same form used by the NHS, which stays active in the body longer than other alternatives.
If you can’t plan ahead, walk-ins are accepted during opening hours. Many patients simply come in on their way home.
Open six days a week, Chemitex Pharmacy is here to support your health. Call us, send an email, or visit our accessible pharmacy near Finsbury Park for all your healthcare needs.
Come and see why families in Islington have trusted Chemitex Pharmacy with their health for over 40 years. We're here for you.
Yes, parking is available right outside the pharmacy.
There's a bus stop just around the corner.
Trusted by generations of families in Islington.
Got some friendly and super quick travel vaccines here as I realised 5 days before travel. The pharmacist was soooo lovely and made the whole appointment easy. She was very informed and answered all my questions with confidence. Will be coming back for any future vaccine needs for sure as the price was much cheaper than the other ones in the area
I came into the chemist on Friday and I was very impressed by your colleague Fiona and how skilled she is with customers, particularly those who are vulnerable. She offered reassurance, was informative, and showed kindness and patience. She is an asset to your business.
Great little local pharmacy with wide selection and convenient hours, always has what I need in stock. Great customer service and advice from a lovely bubbly young woman who works on the till. Would recommend.
I needed to get a Covid and Flu vaccination together, before traveling, and Chemitex were able to give me a next day appointment and a good price.
The service was excellent and friendly.
I thoroughly recommend.
For wellbeing injections, no test is needed. However, the full clinical loading course requires a recent GP blood result showing B12 levels below 150 pmol/L.
Yes. If you’re symptomatic despite taking supplements, injections are appropriate. Poor gut absorption often explains why supplements alone aren’t working in your case.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are exclusions for our private service. If you are pregnant or nursing and concerned about B12, please consult your GP or midwife.
If your serum B12 is within the normal range, there’s no clinical evidence that additional injections provide any benefit. The energy effect is specific to correcting genuine deficiency.
Many patients report improved energy and reduced brain fog within one to two weeks. Neurological symptoms can take time to improve. Sometimes, a full loading course is needed before you notice real changes.
Expert tips from your local clinical team.
Chemitex Pharmacy is located at 332 Hornsey Road, London, N7 7HE. It’s just a short walk from Holloway Road and Finsbury Park stations. You’ll also find it near the Emirates Stadium. Book online using the link below, or call our team directly.
