Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data not available
What is Multivitamin With Iron?
Multivitamin with iron is a supplement that contains different vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional substances, including iron.
Iron is a mineral that’s normally found in foods like red meat. In your body, iron is part of hemoglobin — a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body and helps muscles store and use oxygen.
Multivitamin with iron is taken to provide vitamins and iron that you don’t get through diet alone.
It’s used to treat a vitamin or iron deficiency caused by different conditions, including poor nutrition, pregnancy, blood loss, digestive disorders, and other health issues.
This supplement is available as both an over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicine. OTC products have lower amounts of iron than prescription forms.
It’s best to discuss the type of supplementation you require with your doctor.
Warnings
What is the most important information I should know about Multivitamin With Iron (Geritol)?
Iron and certain vitamins can cause serious or life-threatening side effects if taken in large doses. Do not take more of this medicine than directed on the label or prescribed by your doctor.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take a multivitamins with iron if you have other medical conditions.
Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are 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.
Your dose needs may also be different while you are nursing. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Multivitamin With Iron
Use Multivitamin With Iron (Geritol) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Use this medicine as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use the medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Never take more than the recommended dose of multivitamins with iron. Avoid taking any other multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take multivitamins with iron. 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, 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.
You may take the medicine with food if it upsets your stomach.
The chewable tablet must be chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth before swallowing.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Liquid or powder multivitamin may sometimes be mixed with water, fruit juice, or infant formula (but not milk or other dairy products). Follow the mixing directions on the medicine label.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule or tablet. Swallow it whole.
It is important to take multivitamins with iron regularly to get the most benefit.
Store in the original container at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid to freeze.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Multivitamin With Iron side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
When taken as directed, multivitamins are not expected to cause serious side effects.
Call your doctor if you have:
- bright red blood in your stools; or
- pain in your chest or throat when swallowing a tablet.
Common side effects may include:
- constipation, diarrhea;
- nausea, vomiting, heartburn;
- stomach pain, upset stomach;
- black or dark-colored stools or urine;
- temporary staining of the teeth;
- 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.
What other drugs will affect Multivitamin With Iron?
Avoid taking any other multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take multivitamins with iron. Taking similar vitamin products together at the same time can result in a vitamin overdose or serious side effects.
Avoid taking an antibiotic medicine within 2 hours before or after you take multivitamins with iron. This is especially important if you are taking an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin norfloxacin, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, and others.
Certain foods can also make it harder for your body to absorb iron. Avoid taking this multivitamin within 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating fish, meat, liver, and whole grain or "fortified" breads or cereals.
Do not take this medicine 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 to Expect
Most people who take a multivitamin with iron tolerate the supplement without any issues. Your response to treating iron deficiency will depend on your dose, how your body absorbs the nutrients, and whether you’re taking an OTC or prescription form as directed by your physician.
You’ll likely need to take the supplement for several months to build up the iron in your body.
Additional Dosage Information
Your dosage will depend on your medical condition, your age, the formulation you use, and other factors.
Don’t take more than the recommended dosage.
Secondary Uses
Your doctor may recommend a multivitamin with iron for medical conditions that aren’t listed in this guide.