Generic Name: multivitamin (MUL tee VYE ta min)Brand names: Berocca, Primaplex, ...show all 213 brand names.Becomject-100, M.V.I.-12, Nephplex Rx, Nephrocaps, B-Ject 100, Therobec, B-Plex, Formula B, Vitaplex, Tri-Vi-Sol, Vi-Daylin ADC, Nephro-Vite Rx, Lipogen, Lipotriad, Lipoflavonoid, Cholinoid, Liponol, Bee-Comp with C, Cholidase, Cota-B-Plex, 1000 BC, Neurodep, Neuroforte-Six, M.V.I. Pediatric, B-Plex Plus, Nephrolan Rx, Zymacap, Vi-Daylin, Poly-Vi-Sol, Dayalets, Sigtab, Therems, StressTabs, Allbee-C 800, Cefol, Cod Liver Oil, Daily Multiple Vitamins, Daily Vite, Protegra, Sesame St. Vitamins with Extra C, Surbex-T, Theragran, Superplex-T, Vi-Stress, Cod Liver Oil Mint, Animal Shape Vitamins, B-50 Complex, B-Complex 50, Vitamin B Complex 100, Balanced B-100, B-Stress, B-Scorbic, Bee with C, Childrens Chewable Multivitamins, Balanced B-50, Balanced B-150, Unicap Capsule, Unicap Jr., Unicap, Optilets-500, Super Plenamins, Vitamins for Hair, Tab-A-Vite, One-A-Day Essentials, Essential Balance, Vi-Daylin Chewable, Sunkist Child Chewable with C, Sunkist Child Chewable, Poly-Vi-Sol Chewable, Fruity Chew, Poly-Vit Chew, Chewable-Vite, Flintstones Multivitamins, Bugs Bunny with Extra C, Flintstones with C Multivitamins, Bounty Bear Vitamins, Garfield Vitamins, Vi-Daylin Drops, Poly-Vi-Sol Drops, Baby Vitamin Drop, Vita Drop, Poly Vit Drops, M.V.C. SDV, Glutofac, Allbee-C, Nephro-Vite, Vitabee with C, Stress B with C, High Potency B+C, Farbee with C, Surbex with C, Super B Complex, Surbex, Vitamin B-50, Vitamin B-100, Vitamin B-100 T/R, Hexavitamin, Kenwood Therapeutic, Thera, Theravite, Thera-Plus, Oncovite, Beminal-500, High Potency B Complex with B12 and C, Super B-50, Super B-100 TD, Tri-Vit Drops, Stress Formula, One Tab Daily, Vitamin C, E, and Rose Hips, Scotts Emulsion, Stress Formula 600, Tri-Vit, B Complex 50, Mega B, Folgard, Apatate, T-Vites, High B Complex, Theragenerix, Cernevit, Cardiotek, Beminal, Beminal with C Fortis, Bugs Bunny Multiple Vitamins, Fletanol, Allbee with C, Prevital, Surbex Filmtab, Tender Age Vitamin ADC, Foltx, Folgard Rx 2.2, Cernevit-12, Infuvite, Infuvite Pediatric, Diatx, Vitamin A, D, One-A-Day 50+, Thex Forte, Protegra Cardio, Vitamin Daily Liquid, Rena-Vite Rx, Renal Caps, Icar C, Renaphro, Cerefolin, Dialyvite Rx, Dialyvite 800, Vesselvite, Folbee Plus, Folbee, Folcaps, Combgen, Abidec, Unichem Multivitamin, Topfit Vitamin B Complex, Topfit Vitamin B Complex Forte, Vitamin B Compound Strong, Health Aid Multivitamin, Vitamins, Daflon, Essentiale, Jetepar, Neurobion, Vitamin A and D Concentrate, Centrum 8400, M.V.I. Adult, Nephronex, Animi-3 (obsolete), Foltrate, Cardiotek Rx, Folbic, Metanx, D-400 international units, Folbalin Plus, Folbalin, Multi Vits with Beta Carotene, Foltabs 800, Folgard RX, B-Complex with B-12, FaBB, Cerefolin NAC, Folamin, DexFol, One-A-Day Men's Health Formula, Rena-Vite, Equaline One Daily Essential, Daily-Vite Men's Formula, Folplex, Folmor, Zycose, Biotin Forte, Vigomar Forte, Vimar, Multi-Delyn, Foleve Plus, Folnate, Folnate Plus, Foleve, B 100 Complex, Renatabs, AllanTex, Cardiotek-Rx, NuFol, Folplex 2.2, Reno Caps, Ivites Rx, TL Gard, Vita-Respa, Folast, Triphro
Multivitamins are a combination of many different vitamins that are normally found in foods and other natural sources.
Multivitamins are used to provide vitamins that are not taken in through the diet. Multivitamins are also used to treat vitamin deficiencies (lack of vitamins) caused by illness, pregnancy, poor nutrition, digestive disorders, and many other conditions.
Multivitamins may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Many multivitamin products also contain minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Minerals (especially taken in large doses) can cause side effects such as tooth staining, increased urination, stomach bleeding, uneven heart rate, confusion, and muscle weakness or limp feeling. Read the label of any multivitamin product you take to make sure you are aware of what it contains.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of vitamins A, D, E, or K can cause serious or life-threatening side effects. Certain minerals contained in a multivitamin may also cause serious overdose symptoms if you take too much.Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, hair loss, peeling skin, tingly feeling in or around your mouth, changes in menstrual periods, weight loss, severe headache, muscle or joint pain, severe back pain, blood in your urine, pale skin, and easy bruising or bleeding.
Do not take this medication with milk, other dairy products, calcium supplements, or antacids that contain calcium. Calcium may make it harder for your body to absorb certain ingredients of the multivitamin.If you have any medical conditions, ask your doctor before taking a multivitamin. If you have certain conditions, you may need a certain vitamin formulation or special tests while taking a multivitamin.
Do not take multivitamins without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Some vitamins and minerals can harm an unborn baby if taken in large doses. You may need to use a prenatal vitamin specially formulated for pregnant women. Multivitamins can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.Use this medication as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Never take more than the recommended dose of a multivitamin. Avoid taking more than one multivitamin product at the same time unless your doctor tells you to. Taking similar vitamin products together can result in a vitamin overdose or serious side effects.Many multivitamin products also contain minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Minerals (especially taken in large doses) can cause side effects such as tooth staining, increased urination, stomach bleeding, uneven heart rate, confusion, and muscle weakness or limp feeling. Read the label of any multivitamin product you take to make sure you are aware of what it contains.
Take your multivitamin with a full glass of water.The chewable tablet must be chewed or allowed to dissolve in your mouth before swallowing.
Measure the liquid form of multivitamins using a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Liquid multivitamins may sometimes be mixed with water, fruit juice, or infant formula (but not milk or other dairy products). Follow the directions on the medicine label.
It is important to take multivitamins regularly to get the most benefit.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the liquid medicine from freezing.Store multivitamins in their original container. Storing multivitamins in a glass container can ruin the medication.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, hair loss, peeling skin, tingly feeling in or around your mouth, changes in menstrual periods, weight loss, severe headache, muscle or joint pain, severe back pain, blood in your urine, pale skin, and easy bruising or bleeding.
Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet if your multivitamin contains potassium. If you are on a low-salt diet, ask your doctor before taking a vitamin or mineral supplement.
Do not take this medication with milk, other dairy products, calcium supplements, or antacids that contain calcium. Calcium may make it harder for your body to absorb certain ingredients of the multivitamin.When taken as directed, multivitamins are not expected to cause serious side effects. Less serious side effects may include:
upset stomach;
headache; or
unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Vitamin and mineral supplements can interact with certain medications, or affect how medications work in your body. Before taking a multivitamin, tell your doctor if you also use:
diuretics (water pills);
heart or blood pressure medications;
tretinoin (Vesanoid);
isotretinoin (Accutane, Amnesteen, Clavaris, Sotret);
trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Cotrim, Bactrim, Septra, TMP/SMX); or
an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other medications that can interact with or be affected by multivitamins. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.