Prenatal Vitamins, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: prenatal vitamin

Generic and brand names: A-Free Prenatal; Advanced NatalCare; Aminate Fe-90 ; Anemagen OB; Cal-Nate; CareNate 600; Chromagen OB; Citracal Prenatal Rx; Duet; Duet DHA; KPN Prenatal; NataChew; NataFort; NatalCare Gloss Tabs; Natal Care Plus; NatalCare Pic; NatalCare Pic Forte; NatalCare Rx; NatalCare Three; NataTab CFE; NataTab FA; NataTab Rx; Nestabs; Nestabs CBF; Nestabs FA; Nestabs RX; Niferex PN Forte; Niferex PN; NutriNate; OB-20; Obegyn; PreCare Conceive; PreCare Prenatal; Prenatabs CBF; Prenatabs FA; Prenatabs Rx; Prenatal 1-A-Day; Prenatal AD; Prenatal H; Prenatal MR 90 with Iron; Prenatal MTR with Selenium; Prenatal Plus; Prenatal Rx 1; Prenatal Elite; Prenatal GT; Prenatal-U; Prenatal Z; StrongStart; Stuart Prenatal; StuartNatal Plus 3; Trinate; Ultra Natal Care

What is this medicine used for?

These vitamins, in tablet or capsule form, provide nutrients needed for good health during pregnancy. They are also taken by women trying to get pregnant and by mothers after birth.

Each tablet or capsule contains essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, and zinc. Most prenatal vitamins also contain folic acid, which helps to prevent anemia in the mother and birth defects in the baby.

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

Tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• an allergy to any medicine
• kidney stones
• kidney or liver disease
• phenylketonuria (PKU) (some vitamins contain phenylalanine).

How do I use it?

Take these vitamins exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take them regularly every day. To help you remember, try taking them at the same time each day, such as after breakfast. Taking these vitamins with food will lessen the chance of stomach upset.

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?

The amount of iron in these vitamins could harm a young child. If a child swallows these vitamins by accident, contact a poison control center or get medical care 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.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Stomach upset, nausea, mild constipation, diarrhea, dark stools.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

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 these vitamins 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.