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Iron/Fluoride/Vitamins, Oral

EYE-ern FLOH-ride VY-ta-minz

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KEY POINTS

  • This medicine is taken by mouth to supply iron and vitamins when your body is not getting enough from the food you eat. The fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Take it exactly as directed.
  • Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Small amounts of iron can poison small children.
  • This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
  • Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vitamin with iron and fluoride

Generic and brand names: ferrous sulfate/fluoride vitamin; iron/fluoride/vitamins; Polyvitamin Drops with Iron and Fluoride; MyKidz Iron and Fluoride; Tri-Vitamin Drops with Iron and Fluoride (There may be other brand names for this medicine).

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to supply iron and vitamins when your body is not getting enough from the food you eat. The fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

  • An allergic reaction to any medicine
  • Anemia or other blood disorder
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Porcelain veneers on your teeth
  • Ulcers
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency

Too much fluoride can damage teeth, bones and joints. Before taking any product that contains fluoride, check with your local water department. Ask if the fluoride content of your water supply is greater than 0.6 ppm. Fluoride is in some medicines and toothpaste. Check with your healthcare provider or dentist to see if you need to take extra fluoride.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use the specially marked measuring device that comes with the liquid medicine to be sure you are taking the right amount. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more than the recommended amount or take it longer than prescribed.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children. Some brands should not be used in children under a certain age. Supervise the use of all fluoride products, including toothpaste.

Do not take calcium supplements, antacids that contain calcium, or foods rich in calcium (milk, cheese, yogurt) within 2 hours of taking this medicine. Calcium may make it harder for your body to absorb certain ingredients of the multivitamin.

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you need to take other medicines at different times from when you take this supplement. Some medicines may not work correctly if you take them at the same time.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drooling, nausea, diarrhea, muscle weakness, seizures, breathing that stops, extreme drowsiness, vomiting blood, lack of urination, yellowing of skin or eyes, severe stomach pain, coma.

What should I watch out for?

Be especially careful to keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Small amounts of iron can poison small children. If you think you have taken an overdose or if a child has taken this medicine, contact a poison control center right away.

Have regular dental checkups while you are taking this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider or dentist if you notice any discoloration or white spots on your teeth.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Black tarry bowel movements, diarrhea, bloody vomit, drowsiness, fainting, breathing problems, tremors, weakness, discoloration of teeth, unexplained bone pain, mouth or lip sores.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, constipation, rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, other vitamins, natural remedies and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

  • Antacids that contain aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, such as Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, Phillips' Chewable Tablets, Rolaids, or TUMS (Take antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
  • Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), doxycycline (Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), ofloxacin, and tetracycline (Take antibiotics at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take this medicine or as directed by your healthcare provider or pharmacist.)
  • Calcium or iron supplements (take at least 2 hours before or after you take this medicine)
  • Levodopa/carbidopa (Duopa, Rytary, Sinemet) (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
  • Levothyroxine (Levo-T, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid)
  • Medicines to block or prevent stomach acid such as cimetidine (Tagamet), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Methyldopa (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
  • Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
  • Trientine (Syprine) (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in large doses

Multivitamins and minerals may also interact with other medicines. Check with your healthcare provider before taking a multivitamin with minerals if you are taking other medicines.

Do not take other vitamin or mineral products while you are taking this product without your healthcare provider's approval. Large amounts of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature in the original container. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.


This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

Developed by RelayHealth.
Medication Advisor 2016.4 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2016-10-11
Last reviewed: 2015-07-27
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2016 RelayHealth, a division of McKesson Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
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