There are several reasons that taking a multivitamin can cause nausea, and most are minor and are no cause for concern. However, because multivitamins have not been extensively tested under the scrutiny of the Food and Drug Administration, multivitamins may cause reactions if taken with certain medications. Consult your physician if you experience nausea while taking your multivitamin.
Side Effects
Side effects of taking multivitamins, according to Drugs.com, include headache, abnormal taste in the mouth and stomach upset. You may also experience bloating after taking your multivitamin, which can lead to nausea. Women who take prenatal multivitamins may experience constipation due to an increased level of the mineral iron, which can cause bloating and nausea in addition to the constipation.
Taking Vitamins on an Empty Stomach
Taking a multivitamin on an empty stomach may cause some people to become nauseous. If you become nauseous after taking your multivitamin on an empty stomach, take your multivitamin with a glass of water or juice. Do not take your multivitamin with a glass of milk or dairy-based drink because it may interfere with the absorption of certain multivitamins. Liquid multivitamins or chewable multivitamins may cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach.
Overdose
Taking more than the recommended daily allowance of fat-soluble vitamins or minerals may result in hypervitaminosis or mineral poisoning. These conditions may cause severe reactions that can result in permanent nerve, muscle or brain damage. Symptoms of multivitamin overdose and mineral poisoning are nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, dizziness, confusion or imbalance. If you experience any of these symptoms during the course of taking your multivitamins, contact your physician immediately. If you experience these symptoms after taking large amounts of multivitamins, contact a poison control center, a 24-hour call center dedicated to giving medical advice and help in situations of overdose or poisoning.
Considerations
Let your physician know if you are experiencing nausea after taking multivitamins. He will examine you to make sure that the nausea is the result of taking the multivitamins and not an underlying medical condition. Some people with heartburn may experience acid reflux while taking large multivitamin tablets, which may result in nausea. Dr. David Katz, nutrition specialist, states that taking large multivitamin pills can irritate the esophagus after swallowing, which may trigger acid reflux or heartburn.
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