Generic Name: prenatal multivitamins (PRE nay tal VYE ta mins)
Brand Names: Advance Care Plus, Bright Beginnings, Cavan Folate, Cavan One, Cavan-Heme OB, Cenogen Ultra, CitraNatal Rx, Co Natal FA, Complete Natal DHA, Complete-RF, CompleteNate, Concept OB, Docosavit, Dualvit OB, Duet, Edge OB, Elite OB 400, Femecal OB, Folbecal, Folcaps Care One, Folivan-OB, Foltabs, Gesticare, Icar Prenatal, Icare Prenatal Rx, Inatal Advance, Infanate DHA, Kolnatal DHA, Lactocal-F, Marnatal-F, Maternity, Maxinate, Mission Prenatal, Multi-Nate 30, Multinatal Plus, Nata 29 Prenatal, Natachew, Natafort, Natelle, Neevo, Nestabs, Nexa Select with DHA, Novanatal, NovaStart, O-Cal Prenatal, OB Complete, OB Natal One, Ob-20, Obtrex DHA, OptiNate, Paire OB Plus DHA, PNV Select, PNV-Total, PR Natal 400, Pre-H-Cal, Precare, PreferaOB, Premesis Rx, PrenaCare, PrenaFirst, PrenaPlus, Prenatabs OBN, Prenatabs Rx, Prenatal 1 Plus 1, Prenatal Elite, Prenatal Multivitamins, Prenatal Plus, Prenatal S, Prenatal-U, Prenate Advanced Formula, Prenate DHA, Prenate Elite, Prenavite FC, PreNexa, PreQue 10, Previte Rx, PrimaCare, Pruet DHA, RE OB Plus DHA, Renate, RightStep, Rovin-NV, Se-Care, Se-Natal One, Se-Plete DHA, Se-Tan DHA, Select-OB, Seton ET, Strongstart, Stuart Prenatal with Beta Carotene, Tandem OB, Taron-BC, Tri Rx, TriAdvance, TriCare, Trimesis Rx, Trinate, Triveen-PRx RNF, UltimateCare Advance, Ultra-Natal, Vemavite PRX 2, VeNatal FA, Verotin-BY, Verotin-GR, Vinacal OR, Vinatal Forte, Vinate Advanced (New Formula), Vinate AZ, Vinate Care, Vinate Good Start, Vinate II (New Formula), Vinate III, Vinate One, Vitafol-OB, VitaNatal OB plus DHA, Vitaphil, Vitaphil Aide, Vitaphil Plus DHA, Vitaspire, Viva DHA, Vol-Nate, Vol-Plus, Vol-Tab Rx, Vynatal F.A., Zatean-CH, Zatean-PN
What are Duet DHA (prenatal multivitamins)?
There are many brands and forms of prenatal vitamin available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.
Prenatal vitamins are a combination of many different vitamins that are normally found in foods and other natural sources.
Prenatal vitamins are used to provide the additional vitamins needed during pregnancy. Minerals may also be contained in prenatal multivitamins.
Prenatal vitamins may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about prenatal vitamins?
There are many brands and forms of prenatal vitamin available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.
Never take more than the recommended dose of a multivitamin. Avoid taking any other multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take your prenatal vitamins. Taking similar vitamin products together at the same time can result in a vitamin overdose or serious side effects.
Many multivitamin products also contain minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. 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 multivitamin product you take to make sure you are aware of what it contains.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of vitamins A, D, E, or K can cause serious or life-threatening side effects and can also harm your unborn baby. Certain minerals contained in a prenatal multivitamin may also cause serious overdose symptoms or harm to the baby if you take too much.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, hair loss, peeling skin, tingly feeling in or around your mouth, changes in menstrual periods, weight loss, severe headache, muscle or joint pain, severe back pain, blood in your urine, pale skin, and easy bruising or bleeding.
Do not take this medication with milk, other dairy products, calcium supplements, or antacids that contain calcium. Calcium may make it harder for your body to absorb certain ingredients of the multivitamin.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking prenatal vitamins?
Many vitamins 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.
Before taking prenatal vitamins, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.
You may need to continue taking prenatal vitamins if you breast-feed your baby. Ask your doctor about taking this medication while breast-feeding.
How should I take prenatal vitamins?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Never take more than the recommended dose of prenatal vitamins.
Many multivitamin products also contain minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. 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 multivitamin product you take to make sure you are aware of what it contains.
Take your prenatal vitamin with a full glass of water.
Swallow the regular tablet or capsule whole. Do not break, chew, crush, or open it.
The chewable tablet must be chewed or allowed to dissolve in your mouth before swallowing. You may also allow the chewable tablet to dissolve in drinking water, fruit juice, or infant formula (but not milk or other dairy products). Drink this mixture right away.
Use prenatal vitamins regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep prenatal vitamins in their original container. Storing vitamins in a glass container can ruin the medication.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of vitamins A, D, E, or K can cause serious or life-threatening side effects and can also harm your unborn baby. Certain minerals contained in a prenatal multivitamin may also cause serious overdose symptoms or harm to the baby if you take too much.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, hair loss, peeling skin, tingly feeling in or around your mouth, changes in menstrual periods, weight loss, severe headache, muscle or joint pain, severe back pain, blood in your urine, pale skin, and easy bruising or bleeding.
What should I avoid while taking prenatal vitamins?
Avoid taking any other multivitamin product within 2 hours before or after you take your prenatal vitamins. Taking similar vitamin products together at the same time can result in a vitamin overdose or serious side effects.
Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet if your multivitamin contains potassium. If you are on a low-salt diet, ask your doctor before taking a vitamin or mineral supplement.
Do not take this medication with milk, other dairy products, calcium supplements, or antacids that contain calcium. Calcium may make it harder for your body to absorb certain ingredients of the prenatal vitamin.
Prenatal vitamins side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
When taken as directed, prenatal vitamins are not expected to cause serious side effects. Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect prenatal vitamins?
Vitamin and mineral supplements can interact with certain medications, or affect how medications work in your body. Before taking a prenatal vitamin, tell your doctor if you also use:
diuretics (water pills);
heart or blood pressure medications;
tretinoin (Vesanoid);
isotretinoin (Accutane, Amnesteen, Clavaris, Sotret);
trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Cotrim, Bactrim, Gantanol, Gantrisin, Septra, TMP/SMX); or
an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with prenatal vitamins. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Duet DHA resources
- Duet DHA Side Effects (in more detail)
- Duet DHA Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Duet DHA Drug Interactions
- Duet DHA Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Duet DHA - Add your own review/rating
- Duet DHA MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Cal-Nate MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- CitraNatal 90 DHA MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- CitraNatal Assure Prescribing Information (FDA)
- CitraNatal Harmony Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Concept DHA Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Docosavit Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Duet DHA with Ferrazone MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Folbecal MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Folcal DHA Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Folcaps Care One Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Gesticare DHA Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Gesticare DHA MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Inatal Advance Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Inatal Ultra Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Multi-Nate DHA Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Multi-Nate DHA Extra Prescribing Information (FDA)
- MultiNatal Plus MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Natelle One Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Neevo Caplets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Neevo DHA MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- OB Complete 400 MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Paire OB Plus DHA Prescribing Information (FDA)
- PreNexa MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- PreNexa Prescribing Information (FDA)
- PreferaOB Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Prenatal Plus Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Prenatal Plus Iron Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Prenate Elite Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Prenate Elite MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Prenate Elite tablets
- Prenate Essential Prescribing Information (FDA)
- PrimaCare Advantage MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- PrimaCare ONE capsules
- PrimaCare One MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Renate DHA Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Se-Natal 19 Chewable Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Se-Natal 19 Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Tandem DHA Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Tandem OB Prescribing Information (FDA)
- TriAdvance Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Triveen-One MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Triveen-PRx RNF Prescribing Information (FDA)
- UltimateCare ONE NF Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Ultra NatalCare MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Vinate AZ Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Vitafol-One MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Zatean-CH Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare Duet DHA with other medications
- Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation during Pregnancy/Lactation
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about prenatal vitamins.
See also: Duet DHA side effects (in more detail)
