In an age where fast food and little time has impacted the nutrition you receive, many people are including a multivitamin with iron in their daily dietary intake. Although these supplements are available at health food stores and pharmacies without prescription, they do have side effects and can interact with other medications you may already be taking. Before taking any supplements you should check with your physician to ensure that there are no drug interactions or that the supplement you plan to take will not interact with any other underlying medical condition.
Overdose
Like any medication or supplement you can take too much of a good thing. Never take more than the dose of multivitamin recommended on the bottle, according to PeaceHealth. Taking too much of a vitamin can result in an overdose of vitamins A, D, E or K which can result in serious life-threatening side effects. An overdose of iron can severely damage your liver or heart and potentially death, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institute of Health. Iron is stored in the liver and heart and a build up can result in heart failure or liver cirrhosis.
Nursing or Pregnant
Some multivitamin formulations can harm an unborn child or are passed from the mother to the baby through breast milk. If you are pregnant or nursing there are specially prepared multivitamins to support the growth of your child and your overall health, according to PeaceHealth. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant to ensure the health of your child.
Gastrointestinal
Many multivitamins contain a mixture of vitamins and minerals that can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain or stomach upset, according to Drugs.com. These are less serious side effects that are often relieved when you take the multivitamin with iron with a full glass of water or after eating. Other gastrointestinal disturbances include constipation and diarrhea. You can help relieve these symptoms by taking them with meals or increasing the fiber in your diet.
Teeth Staining
Many multivitamins contain minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium or zinc that can cause teeth staining, according to PeaceHealth. Especially when taken in large doses, these minerals will cause your teeth to temporarily stain. Do not take a multivitamin with iron and supplement with other multivitamins or individuals vitamins or minerals to reduce the potential you will experience side effects.
Allergic Reaction
Some multivitamin pills may trigger an allergic reaction to the formulation of the drugs or the inactive ingredients in the pills, according to Drugs.com. Allergic symptoms can include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat and irregular heart rate. You may also experience bright red blood in the stool or pain in the chest or throat.
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