provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content

Poly-Vi-Sol

Used for Nutritional Deficiency
Used for Nutritional Deficiency

Poly-Vi-Sol is an over-the-counter liquid multivitamin for infants and toddlers. It's usually given to supplement children's diet if they're not getting enough nutrition from food alone. Different Poly-Vi-Sol products might contain different ingredients, such as with or without iron. Poly-Vi-Sol is given once per day or as directed by your child's provider. The liquid is measured with a syringe and can be placed directly in the mouth, or mixed with formula or other foods. Poly-Vi-Sol typically don't cause side effects if taken as instructed.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on October 30, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Poly-Vi-Sol?

What is Poly-Vi-Sol used for?

  • Multivitamin supplement for children

How Poly-Vi-Sol works

Poly-Vi-Sol is a dietary supplement. It contains important vitamins that can help support children's growth, including vitamins A, B, C, D, and E.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsPoly-Vi-Sol, Poly-Vi-Sol With Iron
Drug ClassDietary supplement
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityOver-the-counter
coupon-save-icon

Get your GoodRx coupon

Avg retail price
$15.00(save 25.63%)
GoodRx discount
$11.16
See prices
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Poly-Vi-Sol?

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.

Common Side Effects

See Risks and Warnings

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Iron overdose (for Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron only): nausea, vomiting, pale or bluish colored skin, stomach pain or cramps, tarry stool, seizures, extreme sleepiness, coma, shock (trouble breathing, feeling confused, dizzy, sweating a lot)

Source: DailyMed

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Poly-Vi-Sol

thumbs-up

Pros

Comes with a syringe for easier administration

Can be mixed with food or formula

Can be stored at room temperature

thumbs-down

Cons

Difficult to customize the dose of individual ingredients

If it's mixed with food, mixture must be finished within 1 hour

Some children don't like the taste or smell

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Poly-Vi-Sol

pharmacist

  • Make sure to only use the syringe that comes with the medication to measure out your child's dose. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause your child to take the wrong dose.

    • After drawing up the dose of Poly-Vi-Sol using the syringe, you can give it directly in your child's mouth, or you can slowly mix it with formula, breast milk, juice, cereal, or other foods.

      • Make sure to give your child any food or drink that's mixed with Poly-Vi-Sol within 1 hour or else the medication might not work as well. Never save the dose for later once it has already been mixed.

        • If you're giving Poly-Vi-Sol directly in the mouth, place the syringe in your child's mouth with the tip against the inside of their cheek. Squeeze the end of the syringe to give the dose.

          • After giving Poly-Vi-Sol, there might be some leftover medication inside of the syringe; this is expected. You don't need to give more of the medication to make up for this amount in the syringe

            • Don't give your child any additional multivitamins than what's prescribed by their provider. Doing so can lead to children taking too much vitamins, which can be dangerous.

              • If you're giving your child Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron, you might notice their teeth look darker or stained. This coloring is only temporary and should go away after brushing their teeth. If it doesn't, stop using Poly-Vi-Sol and contact their provider or dentist.

                • Store the bottle at room temperature or in the refrigerator and keep the medication liquid in the original container it came in from the pharmacy.

                  • Keep Poly-Vi-Sol out of reach of children so that they don't accidentally take it. This product contains iron, and accidental overdose of iron-containing medications can be very serious for young children. If your child took Poly-Vi-Sol 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.

                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Poly-Vi-Sol

                    What vitamins are in Poly-Vi-Sol?
                    Different Poly-Vi-Sol products can contain slightly different ingredients. For example, Poly-Vi-Sol generally contains important vitamins such as A, B, C, D, and E vitamins. But it's also available either with or without iron. These vitamins and minerals play several important roles in your child's body and are critical for healthy growth and development, such as eye, skin, immune system, and bone health.
                    Does Poly-Vi-Sol have vitamin D?
                    Yes, Poly-Vi-Sol contains vitamin D. Each mL contains 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D, which is 10 mcg of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for building strong bones and muscles as well as help with nerve health.
                    Does Poly-Vi-Sol have iron?
                    Poly-Vi-Sol is available as products either with or without iron. Make sure to read the label of your Poly-Vi-Sol product to see if it contains iron. Your child's provider will likely recommend Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron if your child's iron levels in the blood are low and they're at higher risk for iron-deficiency anemia.
                    How much iron is in Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron?
                    Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron contains 11 mg of iron per mL. This amount of iron is generally the recommended daily dose for infants 7-12 months old.
                    Does Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron cause constipation?
                    Yes, iron-containing products, like Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron, can cause constipation. If you're child is experiencing constipation, there are foods and medications that are safe for children that might help. If constipation continues to be a problem, take your child to see their provider so they can be examined.
                    How much Poly-Vi-Sol do I give an infant?
                    Check with your provider to see how much Poly-Vi-Sol you should give your infant. The typical dose of Poly-Vi-Sol is typically 1 mL per day. The liquid can be given directly into the mouth towards the inner cheek. Or, you can mix it with formula, cereal, or other foods. Don't give your child more than 1 mL of Poly-Vi-Sol per day unless directed by their provider. Also, you shouldn't give Poly-Vi-Sol to a baby without talking to their provider first because they might not need to take it.
                    Do I need to store Poly-Vi-Sol in the refrigerator?
                    No. You can store Poly-Vi-Sol at room temperature, even after it's been opened. It doesn't need to be kept in the refrigerator, but refrigerating it won't damage the medication.
                    Should my child take a multivitamin like Poly-Vi-Sol?
                    Not all children need to take a dietary supplement like Poly-Vi-Sol. Most children get enough vitamins and minerals from food. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend vitamins for children who have a healthy, balanced diet. In fact, taking a supplement like Poly-Vi-Sol when your child doesn't actually need it might actually harm them. Before giving Poly-Vi-Sol to your child, ask your child's provider if this is something your child needs to take. They can help you decide if your child needs a multivitamin like Poly-Vi-Sol.
                    GoodRxEducationalIcon

                    How to save using GoodRx

                    Compare Prices
                    1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
                    Select your free coupon
                    2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
                    Show coupon to your pharmacist
                    3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
                    Get free couponLearn more
                    warings-icon

                    What are the risks and warnings for Poly-Vi-Sol?

                    Poly-Vi-Sol 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.

                    risk-warning

                    Iron overdose (for Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron only)

                    • Risk factors: Taking too much iron | Receiving multiple blood transfusions | Medical problems that raise your blood iron level | Children under 6 years of age

                      There's a chance that your child's iron level will become too high, especially if you give them too high of a dose of Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron or use other supplements containing iron. An iron overdose 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 your child's iron level while they're taking Poly-Vi-Sol. 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, like Poly-Vi-Sol, can be extremely harmful to children under 6 years of age. Keep Poly-Vi-Sol out of reach of children so that they don't accidentally take it. If your child took Poly-Vi-Sol 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.

                      More on Poly-Vi-Sol warnings

                      Vitamins: Supplements and Herbs: closeup hands holding vitamins 1410637077

                      Can You or Your Child Overdose on Vitamins? How to Know and What to Do

                      Written by Brian Clista, MD
                      dosage

                      Poly-Vi-Sol dosage forms

                      The average cost for 1 dropper of 50ml of Poly-Vi-Sol is $11.16 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 25.63% off the average retail price of $15.00.
                      dropper
                      Dropper
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      50ml1 dropper$11.16$11.16

                      Typical dosing for Poly-Vi-Sol

                      Your child's provider will let you know the appropriate dose of Poly-Vi-Sol to give to your child. In general, the typical dose is 1 mL by mouth once per day.

                      drug-cost

                      How much does Poly-Vi-Sol cost?

                      To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                      Poly-Vi-Sol (brand)
                      GoodRx lowest price

                      $11.16

                      (save 25.63%)
                      View prices & coupons
                      contraindications-icon

                      Poly-Vi-Sol contraindications

                      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 Poly-Vi-Sol will not be safe for you to take.
                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Poly-Vi-Sol?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Poly-Vi-Sol. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Poly-Vi-Sol
                      Used for:

                      • Multivitamin supplement for children

                      $11.16 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Multivitamin
                      Used for:

                      • Dietary supplement

                      $5.07 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

                      Get savings updates for Poly-Vi-Sol

                      Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Poly-Vi-Sol and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

                      By providing your email, you consent to receive marketing communications from GoodRx, which may include content and/or data related to men’s health, women's health, reproductive care, or sexual health. You agree to the GoodRx Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Spoons are for soup, milliliters are for medicine.

                      Central Texas Community Health Centers. (2017). Poly-Vi-Sol- vitamin a, vitamin d, .alpha.-tocopherol, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin liquid [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      HealthyChildren.org. (2022). Where we stand: Vitamin supplements for children. American Academy of Pediatrics.

                      View All References (6)

                      Mead Johnson & Company, LLC. (n.d.). Baby vitamins and probiotics.

                      Mead Johnson & Company, LLC. (n.d.). Enfamil® Poly Vi Sol® Multivitamin Drops - 50 mL bottle.

                      Mekonnen, S. (n.d.). Iron poisoning. Poison Control.

                      National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Hemochromatosis.

                      Pani, S. C., et al. (2015). Extrinsic tooth staining potential of high dose and sustained release iron syrups on primary teeth. BioMed Central Oral Health.

                      Yuen, H. W., et al. (2023). Iron toxicity. StatPearls.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
                      Was this page helpful?

                      Browse medications

                      View All

                      Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.