Prenatal Vitamins, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: prenatal vitamins, oral

Generic and brand names: Lactocal; Marnatal; Marnatal F; Materna; Mission Prenatal; Mynatal; Mynatal FC; Mynatal P.N. Forte; Mynatal Rx; Mynate 90 Plus; Natal Care Plus; Natalins Rx,; Natarex Prenatal; Nestabs FA; Nestabs Rx; Niferex PN Forte; NiferRx PN; Nutricon; O-Cal FA; Par F; Par-Natal Plus 1; Pramilet FA; Precare Chewable; Precare Conceive; Precare Prenatal; Prenatal 1 + Iron; Prenatal MR 90; Prenatal Maternal; Prenatal Plus; Prenatal Plus Betacarotene; Prenatal Plus Iron; Prenatal Rx; Prenatal Rx with Beta-Carotene; Prenatal S; Prenatal Z; Prenatal with Folic Acid; Prenate 90; Prenate Ultra; Prenavite; Sigtab-M; Stuart Prenatal; Stuartnatal Plus; Vitafol

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.

How do I use it?

Take these vitamins exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Take them regularly every day. To help you remember, try taking them at the same time each day, such as after breakfast.

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. Ask your health care provider if you should keep Syrup of Ipecac on hand to cause vomiting.

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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care 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).

Serious (contact your health care provider right away): Hives, itching, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing.

Other: Stomach upset, mild constipation, diarrhea.

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 health care 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 health care 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.