Multiple vitamins and minerals (PregVit® and other brands) is a combination of vitamins and minerals and belongs to the group of medications called prenatal/postpartum vitamin and mineral supplements.

It is specifically for use by people planning to become pregnant, who are pregnant and who have recently had a baby as it has specific amounts of various nutrients necessary to support the nutritional needs of people during and immediately after pregnancy. This multiple vitamin and mineral supplement does not replace healthy, balanced meals during pregnancy.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose of this medication is 1 pink tablet in the morning and 1 blue/dark blue tablet at least 4 hours afterward or in the evening.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

The pink tablets and the blue tablets must be taken separately to prevent the ingredients in one tablet from interacting with the other. When taken at the same time, iron interacts with folic acid and calcium. This prevents the iron from being absorbed into the body where it can be used.

The pink tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. Wait at least one hour before eating, to allow time for the iron to be absorbed.

The blue tablet should be taken at least 4 hours after the pink tablet. To ensure your body absorbs as much calcium as possible, take it within an hour of the evening meal. The acid from the stomach helps break the calcium down so it can be absorbed.

Swallow the medication whole, with a glass of water. Do not crush or split the tablets.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Morning tablet

Each pink, oval-shaped, film-coated tablet imprinted with the pink image of a pregnant woman contains beta-carotene (source of vitamin A) 1.6 mg, vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate) 3 mg, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 3.4 mg, niacinamide 20 mg, pantothenic acid (calcium pantothenate) 5 mg, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCl) 10 mg, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 120 mg, vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate) 13.8 mg AT, copper (cupric oxide) 2 mg, iodine (potassium iodide) 0.15 mg, iron (ferrous fumarate)* 35 mg, magnesium (magnesium oxide) 50 mg, and zinc (zinc oxide) 15 mg.

Nonmedicinal ingredients: ammonium hydroxide, N-butyl alcohol, carnauba wax, D&C Red No. 27, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, isopropyl alcohol, macrogol/PEG 3350, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, propylene glycol, shellac glaze, simethicone, sodium croscarmellose, sodium lauryl sulfate, starch (corn starch), talc, and titanium dioxide.

*elemental iron content

**RRR-alpha tocopherol (AT)

Evening tablet

Each dark blue, oval-shaped, film-coated tablet imprinted with the pink image of a pregnant woman contains folic acid 5 mg, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 12 µg, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 250 or 600 IU, and calcium (calcium carbonate)***300 mg.

Nonmedicinal ingredients: ammonium hydroxide, N-butyl alcohol, carnauba wax, D&C Red No. 27, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, isopropyl alcohol, macrogol/PEG 3350, magnesium stearate, polyvinyl alcohol, propylene glycol, shellac glaze, simethicone, sodium croscarmellose, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

***elemental calcium content

These products do not contain lactose, gluten, or tartrazine.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to multiple vitamin and minerals or any ingredients of the medication.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• constipation
• decreased appetite
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• headache
• nausea
• stomach upset

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• persistent vomiting

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Other medications: Many medications are affected by the calcium and iron in these multiple vitamins. Check with your pharmacist for specific instructions about separating your regular medications and this multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.

Seizure: People who have seizure disorder and are taking anticonvulsant medication (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid) may have an increase in seizures when taking folic acid (one of the vitamins in this medication). If you have seizure disorder and are taking anticonvulsants, talk to your doctor about whether any special monitoring is required.

Vitamin B12: High doses of folic acid may hide symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, your doctor may recommend a vitamin B12 supplement along with the folic acid that is in this medication. Your doctor may decide to do blood tests to monitor your vitamin B12 levels.

Pregnancy: This medication is intended to be used during pregnancy to provide nutritional support. If you have questions about the risks and benefits of taking this medication while pregnant, talk to your doctor.

Breast-feeding: This medication is intended to provide nutritional support for a breast-feeding person. If you have questions about the risks and benefits of taking this medication while breast-feeding, talk to your doctor.

Children: This medication is not intended for children. The medication package contains enough iron to cause severe and even fatal iron poisoning if it is accidentally taken by a child.

For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.

If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.