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Is Intake Of Pregnancy Vitamins And Iron Safe?

Posted on Sat, 21 Feb 2015

Question: My wife may have take one to many pre pregnancy vitamins with iron in them. Need advice, she not feeling good at all.

Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please give details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.

Please provide details like the symptoms your wife is facing, if she is pregnant or trying to conceive and what medications she is on and any investigations done etc. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (8 minutes later)

She has Nausea, shaky. She was given 4 different samples of prenatal vitamins by her doctor. She took one dose of all 4 samples and now isnt feeling good at all.

Not pregnant we are trying to get pregnant

Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Stop all medication and get help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

If she has been taking iron supplements, stop all medication immediately and get help from your consultant.

Prenatal vitamins should not contain iron unless pregnancy is not contemplated for some time and/or the person receiving them is grossly in need. The medication can cause gastritis, diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the stomach and so on.

She would need anti-emetics to control the nausea. If she has missed a period, you should get a pregnancy test as such symptoms are also seen in early pregnancy.

Hope I have answered your query. Please get back if you need more information. I will be ready to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (7 minutes later)

There is iron in all 4 samples of the prenatal vitamins. Is this an emergency situation or will her symptoms go away eventually?

Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Poisoning can be suspected if the doses are very high.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing again.

Iron poisoning can be suspected if the dosage exceeds the prescribed limit of 300-400 mg/day of elemental iron. This condition calls for immediate medical attention.

Otherwise, symptoms usually subside as the drug weans off from the body and supportive therapy is given.

Hope this helps.

regards,
Shanti.V.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar