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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking multivitamins and minerals ()?

Many vitamin and mineral supplements can cause serious or life-threatening side effects if taken in large doses. Do not take more of this medication than directed on the label or prescribed by your doctor.

If you have any medical conditions, ask your doctor before taking multivitamins and minerals. If you have certain conditions, you may need a certain vitamin formulation or special tests while taking multivitamins and minerals.

Do not take multivitamins and minerals without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Some vitamins can harm an unborn baby if taken in large doses. You may need to use a prenatal vitamin specially formulated for pregnant women.

Multivitamins and minerals can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take multivitamins and minerals ()?

Use this medication as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Never take more than the recommended dose of a vitamin and mineral supplement. Avoid taking more than one vitamin/mineral product at the same time unless your doctor tells you to. Taking similar products together can result in a vitamin or mineral overdose or serious side effects.

Minerals (especially taken in large doses) can cause side effects such as tooth staining, increased urination, stomach bleeding, uneven heart rate, confusion, and muscle weakness or limp feeling. Read the label of any vitamin and mineral product you take to make sure you are aware of what it contains.

Take your multivitamin and minerals with a full glass of water.

The chewable tablet must be chewed or allowed to dissolve in your mouth before swallowing. You may also allow the tablet to dissolve in drinking water, fruit juice, or infant formula (but not milk or other dairy products).

Measure the liquid form of multivitamins and minerals using a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release the vitamins and minerals slowly into the body.

It is important to take multivitamins and minerals regularly to get the most benefit.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the liquid medicine from freezing.

Store multivitamins and minerals in their original container. Storing multivitamins and minerals in a glass container can ruin the medication.

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