Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin C, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vitamin

Generic and brand names: vitamin B complex with vitamin C; Allbee with C; B-C with Folic Acid; B-C BID; Balanced-B Complex; Beminal 500; Berocca; B-Plex; Diatx; Enviro-Stress; Farbee with Vitamin C; Folic Acid/Vitamin B Complex/Vitamin C; Foltx; Formula B; High Potency N-Vites; NephPlex Rx; Nephrocaps; Nephro-Vite Rx; Probec-T; Stress B Complex with Vitamin C; Stresstabs Plus Zinc; Superplex T; Surbex with C; Surbex-T; ThexForte; T-Vites; Vicon-C; Viogen-C; Vita-Bee with C (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a combination of B vitamins and vitamin C. Your healthcare provider may prescribe this medicine if you have:

• a history of strokes
• blood vessel disease
• brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease
• heart disease
• severe kidney disease

Your healthcare provider may also prescribe this medicine if you are not able to get these vitamins from your diet.

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

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• are allergic to any medicines
• are taking medicine to treat Parkinson's disease.

Vitamins may affect other treatments or medical conditions. Do not start taking a vitamin or mineral without first talking to your healthcare provider.

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

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

This medicine is available in tablet, capsule, or liquid forms. Swallow the tablets or capsules whole. Do not chew them.

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: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea.

What should I watch out for?

Blood tests for pernicious anemia may not be accurate while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Some vitamins are prescription only. They are not like other kinds of vitamins. They should be taken only under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Do not share this medicine with other people.

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 are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Decreased urination, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, irregular heart beat, blurry vision.

Other: Dark yellow urine, nausea, mild diarrhea, tingling, feeling of warmth.

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:

• alcohol
• aminosalicylic acid
• chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
• cholesterol medicines such as cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid), atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• colchicine
• neomycin (Neo-Fradin, Neo-Rx)
• other products containing vitamin B, vitamin C, or folic acid
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

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.

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.