Multivitamins with Iron, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: multivitamin with iron

Generic and brand names: multivitamins with iron; ferrous sulfate multivitamins; Albee C-800 plus Iron; Geritol Complete; Hemocyte Plus; Iberet Filmtab; Iberet-Folic-500; Nephron FA; Nestabs RX; Theragran Heart Right; Thera-M Advanced Formula; Ultra Freeda with Iron

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.

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
• kidney stones or kidney disease
• 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 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 or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

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 healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

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 healthcare provider right away.

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.

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

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

• acid blocking medicines such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC), lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), and pantoprazole (Protonix)
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), 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)
• levodopa/carbidopa (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 healthcare provider's approval. Taking large amounts 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 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.