Multivitamin with fluoride is a combination dietary supplement that contains different vitamins and minerals, including fluoride. This supplement is typically used in children at high risk for cavities, such as those living in communities where the drinking water doesn't contain enough fluoride. Multivitamin with fluoride is taken by mouth and comes in various formulations, such as tablets, chewable tablets, and liquid suspensions.
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
See Risks and Warnings
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
More tips for the chewable tablets
More tips for the oral (by mouth) suspension
More tips for iron-containing products
Fluoride is an important mineral for preventing cavities. Fluoride supplements are typically prescribed for children between 6 months to 16 years old who are at high risk for cavities and live in areas where there are low fluoride levels in their drinking water. In some cases, multivitamin with fluoride is also prescribed for adults. Your provider can help you find out if you or your child might need fluoride supplementation.
Talk with your child's provider to see how much fluoride supplement your child needs. Don't give your child more fluoride products than what their provider recommends. Children age 8 years and younger are at risk for a condition called fluorosis if they're exposed to too much fluoride over a long period of time. This can lead to white dots or small dents on the teeth. Common sources of fluoride include toothpaste and fluoridated drinking water. Typically, multivitamin with fluoride is only prescribed for children who don't get enough fluoride through drinking water. Ask your child's provider if you're not sure whether your child is getting fluoride from other sources.
Ask your child's provider (or refer to the manufacturer's label) about whether or not you should give multivitamin with fluoride to your child with food or drink. In general, it's recommended that you don't give multivitamin with fluoride to your child with any dairy products or meals because dairy and food can lower how much fluoride their body absorbs. And if your child is taking a multivitamin with fluoride with iron, the iron is also better absorbed on an empty stomach. However, some children might have a harder time taking multivitamin with fluoride without any food. In that case, discuss with your child's provider about the best way to give this supplement to your child.
If your child has a hard time swallowing tablets, talk with their provider about other multivitamin with fluoride options, such as chewable tablets or liquid suspensions. Please be aware that different forms of multivitamin with fluoride might differ in the dose of fluoride, and the type and dose of other vitamins or minerals they contain. They also might have slightly different directions for use. Your child's provider will help you select the product that's best for your child and instruct you on how to give them the medication.
Multivitamin with fluoride can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Taking too much fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis that can cause changes to your child's teeth. Additionally, ingesting large amounts of fluoride at one time can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. If your child experiences any of these symptoms while taking multivitamin with fluoride, call their healthcare provider or contact a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
If your child takes multiple supplements that contain iron or take a higher dose of iron supplements than recommended, there's a chance that their iron level will become too high. This is dangerous because it can lead to problems such as tears in the gut, seizures, and liver damage. Your child's provider might regularly do blood tests to check their iron level if they're taking multivitamin with fluoride that also contains iron. Let your provider know right away if your child experiences symptoms of too much iron, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Accidental overdose of iron-containing products can be extremely harmful to children under 6 years of age. Keep iron/folic acid supplement out of reach of children so that they don't accidentally take it. If your child took iron/folic acid supplement and you notice them vomiting up blood or having diarrhea and stomach pain, call your local Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
Different brands of multivitamin with fluoride supplements have different kinds and amounts of vitamins and fluoride. Some brands also contain iron. Please read the manufacturer label of your child's product for specific directions.
Ask your child's provider about the dose you should give to your child before starting the medication.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Multivitamin with fluoride will not be safe for you to take.