Multivitamins with Iron, Oral

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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. Take it exactly as directed.
• 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: multivitamin with iron

Generic and brand names: multivitamins with iron, oral; ferrous sulfate/multivitamins; Albee C-800 Plus Iron; Geritol Complete; Nephron FA; Tab-A-Vite with Iron; Thera-M Advanced Formula; Ultra Freeda with Iron (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. Your body needs iron to produce red blood cells to prevent or treat certain kinds of anemia.

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
• Any blood disorder or bleeding problems
• Kidney stones or kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Phenylketonuria (PKU). Chewable tablets may contain phenylalanine.
• Ulcers
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

Some multivitamins and minerals may affect other treatments or medical conditions. If you take an anticoagulant such as warfarin, let your healthcare provider know before taking a multivitamin that includes Vitamin K. Do not start taking vitamins or minerals without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed. Taking more of it or taking it more often than directed may cause side effects.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children. Some brands should not be used in children under a certain age.

This medicine usually works best when taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not chew iron tablets or capsules. Take it with a full glass of water. If you are taking a liquid product, mix it with water or juice and drink it through a straw to avoid getting the medicine on your teeth and staining them.

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, 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: stomach pain, severe nausea, vomiting, coughing blood, blood in urine or bowel movements, black tarry bowel movements, weakness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, flushing, fainting, cold clammy skin, blue lips, seizures.

What should I watch out for?

Be very careful to keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Small amounts 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.

Dark bowel movements or dark yellow urine are common side effects of this medicine. They are usually harmless. However, if you notice any blood in your bowel movement and you have severe stomach pain or cramps, call your healthcare provider right away.

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.): Chest pain, painful swallowing, blood in bowel movements, severe stomach cramps, vomiting.

Other: Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dark urine or bowel movements, nausea.

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 (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 supplements (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours 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.)
• Other iron medicines
• 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
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Do not take other vitamin products while you are taking this product without your healthcare provider's approval. Taking large amounts of some vitamins 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. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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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.