Vitafol

Pronunciation: muhl-tee-VYE-ta-mins/MIN-er-als/FOE-lik AS-id/EYE-urn
Generic Name: Multivitamins with Minerals/Folic Acid/Iron
Brand Name: Examples include Vitafol and Strovite Forte Syrup

Vitafol is used for:

Treating or preventing low levels of vitamins, folic acid, iron, and minerals in the body. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Vitafol is a vitamin, folic acid, iron, and mineral supplement. It works by producing extra vitamins, folic acid, iron, and minerals to the body when you need more than what you get in your diet.

Do NOT use Vitafol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Vitafol
• you have hemochromatosis (a disorder of iron metabolism)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Vitafol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Vitafol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have bowel problems (eg, colitis, Crohn disease, diverticulitis), certain blood disorders (eg, hemolytic or pernicious anemia, porphyria cutanea tarda, thalassemia), or a peptic ulcer
• if you have had multiple blood transfusions

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vitafol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Acitretin because some of these products contain vitamin A, which may increase the risk of acitretin's side effects. If you are taking acitretin, ask your pharmacist if your product contains vitamin A
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or fluorouracil because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Vitafol
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), levodopa, mycophenolate, or penicillamine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Vitafol

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vitafol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Vitafol:

Use Vitafol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Vitafol by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Take Vitafol with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
• Do not take an antacid within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Vitafol.
• Avoid taking Vitafol with dairy products; they may interfere with the absorption of the iron in Vitafol.
• Many medicines (eg, used for infection, high blood pressure, low blood platelet levels, osteoporosis, thyroid problems) should not be taken at the same time as Vitafol; their effectiveness may be decreased. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your dose of Vitafol should be separated from your dose of any of your other medicines.
• If you miss a dose of Vitafol, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vitafol.

Important safety information:

• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
• Do not take large doses of vitamins (megadoses or megavitamin therapy) while you use Vitafol unless your doctor tells you to.
• Vitafol may discolor the stools. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
• Vitafol has iron in it. Iron overdose is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children younger than 6 years old. In case of an overdose, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Vitafol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Vitafol has pyridoxine (vitamin B₆), iron, and folic acid in it. Before you start any medicine, check the label to see if it has pyridoxine (vitamin B₆), iron, or folic acid in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vitafol while you are pregnant. Vitafol is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Vitafol, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Vitafol:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dark or discolored stools; diarrhea; nausea; stomach upset; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood or streaks of blood in the stools; persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; stomach pain or cramping.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Vitafol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org ), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include black, tarry stools; chest pain; lack of feeling alert; loss of balance; seizure; severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; sluggishness; trouble breathing; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; weak pulse.

Proper storage of Vitafol:

Store Vitafol at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Vitafol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Vitafol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Vitafol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vitafol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.