Prenatal vitamins are a combination of many different vitamins that are normally found in foods
and other natural sources.
Prenatal vitamins are used to provide the additional vitamins needed during pregnancy.
Minerals may also be contained in prenatal multivitamins.
Prenatal vitamins may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking prenatal multivitamins?
Many vitamins can cause serious or life-threatening side effects if taken in large doses. Do
not take more of this medication than directed on the label or prescribed by your doctor.
Before taking prenatal vitamins, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.
Prenatal vitamins 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.
How should I take prenatal multivitamins?
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 prenatal vitamins.
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 prenatal vitamin with a full glass of water.
Swallow the
regular tablet or capsule
whole. Do not break, chew, crush,
or open it.
The
chewable tablet
must be chewed or allowed to dissolve in your mouth
before swallowing. You may also allow the chewable tablet to dissolve in drinking water, fruit juice, or
infant formula (but not milk or other dairy products). Drink this mixture right away.
It is important to take prenatal vitamins regularly to get the most benefit.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Store prenatal vitamins in their original container. Storing vitamins in a glass container can ruin
the medication.
What happens if I miss a dose of prenatal multivitamins?
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.
Where can I get more information about prenatal multivitamins?
Your pharmacist has information about prenatal multivitamins written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of prenatal multivitamins?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
When taken as directed, prenatal vitamins 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. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about prenatal multivitamins?
There are many brands and forms of prenatal vitamin available and not all brands are listed on
this leaflet.
Never take more than the recommended dose of a multivitamin. Avoid taking any other
multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take your prenatal vitamins. Taking similar
vitamin products together at the same time 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.
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 and can also harm your unborn baby. Certain minerals contained in a prenatal
multivitamin may also cause serious overdose symptoms or harm to the baby 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.
What should I avoid while taking prenatal multivitamins?
Avoid taking any other multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take your
prenatal vitamins. Taking similar vitamin products together at the same time can result in a vitamin
overdose or serious side effects.
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 prenatal vitamin.
What other drugs will affect prenatal multivitamins?
Vitamin and mineral supplements can interact with certain medications, or affect how
medications work in your body. Before taking a prenatal vitamin, tell your doctor if you also use:
trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Cotrim, Bactrim,
Gantanol, Gantrisin, 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 prenatal vitamins. 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.
What happens if I have an overdose of prenatal multivitamins?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009