Multivitamins with Iron, Oral

Type of medicine: multivitamins with iron

Generic and brand names: multivitamins with iron; ferrous sulfate multivitamins; Albee C-800 plus Iron; BC with Folic Acid Plus; Berocca Plus; Chromagen FA; Chromagen Forte; Compete; Fero-Folic 500; Ferralet Plus; Formula B Plus; Freedavite; Fumatinic; Generet-500 ; Geritol Complete; Gerivites; Gerlot; Hemocyte Plus; Hemocyte-F Elixir; Iberet Filmtab; Iberet-Folic-500; Iromin-G; NephPlex; Nephro-Fer Rx; Nephron-FA; Nephro-Vite with Fe; Nestabs FA; Niferex-150 ; Niferex-PN; Perplex Plus; Stress Formula with Iron; Surbex 750 with Iron; Theragran Hematinic; Thera-M; Therapeutic-H; Thera Hematinic; Theravee Hematinic; Tolfrinic; Vitafol; Zodeac-100

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.

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

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• anemia or other blood disorder
• kidney or liver disease
• stomach 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 health care provider know before taking a multivitamin that includes Vitamin K. Do not start taking vitamins or minerals without first talking to your health care provider.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Do not take more of the vitamin that is prescribed or is indicated on the package.

This medicine usually works best when taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take it with a full glass of water. Eating or drinking milk or milk products, eggs, coffee, or tea when you take it reduces its effectiveness. However, you may take this medicine with food if it causes stomach upset when you take it without food.

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 chew iron tablets or capsules.

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 health care provider.

Be especially 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 stools or dark yellow urine are common side effects of this medicine. They are usually harmless. However, if you notice any blood in your stool and you have severe stomach pain or cramps, call your health care provider right away.

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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider): Chest pain, painful swallowing, blood in bowel movements, severe stomach cramps, vomiting.

Other: Constipation, diarrhea, dark urine or stools, nausea.

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 health care provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), and levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• antacids (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine)
• ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
• calcium supplements such as Citracal, Caltrate, Os-Cal, and Tums (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
• cimetidine (Tagamet) (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet) (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levo-T, Levothroid, Levoxyl)
• penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)
• methyldopa (Aldomet) (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• tetracycline (Take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• warfarin (Coumadin).

Do not take other vitamin products while you are taking this product without your health care provider's approval. Large quantities of some vitamins can be harmful.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Store this medicine at room temperature. 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 health care 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.