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A multivitamin is a combination dietary supplement that contains several important vitamins and minerals needed to support your overall health. There are many brands and manufacturers of multivitamins, so read the manufacturer's label carefully to make sure you have the right multivitamin that you're looking for.
What is Multivitamin?
Side effects of Multivitamin
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.
Multivitamin serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; trouble breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
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Pros and cons of Multivitamin
Pros
- Usually taken once per day
- Conveniently combines several active ingredients together
- Several manufacturers of multivitamins with different ingredients are readily available.
Cons
- Some specific multivitamins are brand-name only, which can be expensive.
- Some multivitamins are available only with a prescription.
- Difficult to customize individual ingredients
Pharmacist tips for Multivitamin
- Please carefully read the manufacturer's label, and follow the specific directions for the particular product you have or the directions your provider gave you. Different brands of multivitamins can have different directions, since they can contain different ingredients, amount of ingredients, and can come in different formulations.
- Keeping a healthy and balanced diet that contains natural sources of vitamins and minerals while taking a multivitamin might help maintain your nutrient levels. If needed, you can talk to a nutritionist about a dietary plan that works for you.
- Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications and dietary supplements you're taking before starting a multivitamin to make sure there are no interactions. The vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) in some multivitamins can interact with certain Parkinson's disease medications, such as Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) or Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa), making them work less well.
- Vitamin B6 can also cause a higher risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulants, such as aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix).
- Store your multivitamin at room temperature and away from children. If your child accidentally took any multivitamins, get medical help or call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Common questions about Multivitamin
Don't take a multivitamin without discussing with a provider first. Most people get enough vitamins and minerals from food and don't typically need a multivitamin. Also, depending on the manufacturer of the multivitamin you're using, taking it when you don't actually need it might harm you if the doses of certain vitamins and minerals are too high and you consume too much of these ingredients. Ask your provider if you aren't sure if you need to take a multivitamin.
There isn't a standard list of ingredients that all multivitamins have, and manufacturers can choose which ones to include. Some multivitamins can contain unique active ingredients that differ from other multivitamins made by other manufacturers. For example, Dayavite contains molybdenum, which can help with breaking down toxic substances in your body, and omega-3 fatty acids like alpha-lipoic acid, which help support different body systems. Other multivitamins contain certain amino acids that might also help supplement your health (Remedient brand contains the amino acid carnosine). Refer to the manufacturer's label for the complete list of ingredients in your product.
The amount of time you might need to take a multivitamin will be different from person to person. Your provider might evaluate your overall health and nutrition to decide if you need to continue your multivitamin. They also might check your blood levels of some vitamins and minerals to see if they're in a healthy range. Discuss with your provider about whether you need to continue to take a multivitamin.
There are multivitamins available that are safer and better suited for children. Don't give children younger than 18 years of age a multivitamin that's usually for adults without talking to their provider first. Doing so can cause them to take too much of a certain vitamin or mineral in a multivitamin, which can be harmful. Ask your child's provider if they need a multivitamin and what available children's multivitamins they recommend.
Yes, a multivitamin is generally safe to take during pregnancy. However, you'll likely need a prenatal multivitamin rather than a general multivitamin because prenatal multivitamins have additional vitamin and mineral supplementation that are needed for the health and development of your baby.
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Risks and warnings for Multivitamin
Multivitamin 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.
Possible toxicity from taking too much
- Risk factors: Taking more than the recommended dose | Taking multiple products that contain the same ingredients
Many multivitamin products and dietary supplements can contain the same vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients. If you're taking multiple products, you could take too much of certain ingredients, which could lead to side effects. Always check with your provider or pharmacist to make sure you're not taking too much of any one ingredient, and follow the directions on the label of your product carefully.
Potential to hide anemia due to low vitamin B12
Many multivitamins contain folic acid, which can sometimes mask a condition called pernicious anemia (a type of anemia due to low vitamin B12 levels). If you have low vitamin B12 levels, let your provider or pharmacist know, and ask them if a particular multivitamin is right for you.
Some multivitamin formulations can be harmful for people with phenylketonuria (PKU)
Some flavored formulations of multivitamins (e.g., chewable tablets) might contain aspartame as a sweetener. One component of aspartame is phenylalanine, which can cause serious health problems if you have a rare condition called phenylketonuria (PKU). Read the manufacturer's label on the multivitamin product you have to see if there's a warning for people with PKU. Talk to a provider so they can recommend a multivitamin for you. There are multivitamin brands and formulations available that might be safer for you.
Multivitamin dosage
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32.5mg/115.2mg/200mg | 90 capsules | $42.85 | $0.48 |
Typical dosage for Multivitamin
Different brands of multivitamins can have different directions. They can contain different vitamins and minerals, and they're also available in many formulations, such as tablets, capsules, chewable tablets or gummies, and liquids.
Please read the manufacturer's label of the product you have for specific directions. Your provider might recommend or prescribe a dose of the multivitamin that's different from the typical dose on the manufacturer's label. In general:
Tablets or capsules: The typical dose is 1 pill by mouth once per day.
How much does Multivitamin cost?
$42.85
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