Essentia Oral

This medication is a multivitamin and iron product used to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency due to poor diet, certain illnesses, or during pregnancy. Vitamins and iron are important building blocks of the body and help keep you in good health.

How to use Essentia Oral
Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed. Follow all directions on the product package, or take as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than the recommended dosage. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is best taken on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Take with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. If stomach upset occurs, you may take this medication with food. Avoid taking antacids, dairy products, tea, or coffee within 2 hours before or after this medication because they may decrease its effectiveness. Do not lie down for 10 minutes after taking this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details for your particular brand.
If you are taking the delayed-release form or extended-release capsules, swallow them whole. Do not crush or chew delayed-release or extended-release products. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects and decreasing absorption. Also, do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.
Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach may occur. These effects are usually temporary and may disappear as your body adjusts to this medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Iron may cause your stools to turn black, an effect that is not harmful.
If your doctor has prescribed this drug, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as soy found in some brands), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: iron overload disorder (e.g., hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis).
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: use/abuse of alcohol, liver problems, stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., ulcer, colitis).
If your brand of multivitamin also contains folic acid, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia) before taking it. Folic acid may affect certain laboratory tests for vitamin B12 deficiency without treating this anemia. Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency may result in serious nerve problems (e.g., peripheral neuropathy). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.
This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also How To Use section.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal drugs you may use, especially: chloramphenicol, methyldopa, other vitamin/nutritional supplements.
This product can decrease the absorption of other drugs such as bisphosphonates (for example, alendronate), levodopa, penicillamine, quinolone antibiotics (for example, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), thyroid medications (for example, levothyroxine), and tetracycline antibiotics (for example, doxycycline, minocycline). Therefore, separate your doses of these medications as far as possible from your doses of this product. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how long you should wait between doses and for help finding a dosing schedule that will work with all your medications.
If your brand of multivitamin also contains folic acid, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take certain anti-seizure drugs (e.g., hydantoins such as phenytoin).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

NOTES:
If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not share it with others.
Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.
This product is not a substitute for a proper diet. Remember that it is best to get your vitamins and minerals from healthy foods. Maintain a well-balanced diet and follow any dietary guidelines as directed by your doctor.

MISSED DOSE:
If you are taking this product on a prescribed schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised July 2010. Copyright(c) 2010 First Databank, Inc.