U.S. Brand Names

A-Free Prenatal; Advanced NatalCare®; Advanced-RF NatalCare®; Aminate Fe-90; Cal-Nate™; CareNatal™ DHA; Citracal® Prenatal + DHA [DSC]; Citracal® Prenatal 90 + DHA [DSC]; CitraNatal™ 90 DHA; CitraNatal™ DHA; CitraNatal™ Rx; Daily Prenatal; Duet® DHA ; Duet®; Duet™ DHA; Icar™ Prenatal; KPN Prenatal; Mini-Prenatal; NataCaps™; NataChew™; NataFort®; NatalCare® GlossTabs™; NatalCare® PIC Forte; NatalCare® PIC; NatalCare® Plus; NatalCare® Rx; NatalCare® Three; NataTab™ CFe; NataTab™ FA; NataTab™ Rx; NutriNate®; NutriSpire™; PreCare Conceive®; PreCare Premier™; PreCare® Prenatal; PreCare®; Prenatal AD; Prenatal H; Prenatal MR 90 Fe™; Prenatal MTR with Selenium; Prenatal Plus; Prenatal Rx 1; Prenatal U; Prenatal Z; Prenate DHA™; Prenate Elite™; PrimaCare® One; PrimaCare®; StrongStart™; Stuart Prenatal® [OTC]; Tandem® OB; Trinate; Ultra NatalCare®

Pharmacologic Category

Vitamin

Reasons not to take this medicine

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

What is this medicine used for?

• This vitamin is used to supplement the nutritional needs of a pregnant female or one trying to get pregnant.

How does it work?

• Most prenatal vitamins contain greater amounts of folic acid, iron, and calcium than standard adult multivitamins. Taking folic acid before the pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks can help prevent certain birth defects. The body is making so much extra blood that you need 3-4 times the usual amount of iron every day. A prenatal multivitamin will help you get enough essential nutrients in your diet.

How is it best taken?

• Take this vitamin with or without food. Take with food or at bedtime if it causes an upset stomach.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

• If you are in your first 12 weeks of pregnancy, you may want to take a prenatal vitamin without extra iron. Iron may cause constipation and upset stomach. Additional iron is most necessary in the second and third trimesters.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• If you have a baby with a birth defect, talk with healthcare provider before trying to get pregnant. You may need even higher doses of folic acid.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Desire to stop taking prenatal multivitamin, especially during first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 16:18:18.0

Modified: 2008-01-25 11:46:03.0

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