Overview
In the United States, Geritol is a trademarked name for various past and present dietary supplements. In August 1950 Geritol was introduced by Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as an alcoholic, iron, and B vitamin tonic and was primarily marketed in the 1970s.
It is a brand name for several multimineral products or vitamin complexes plus iron and is in both liquid form and tablets. It consists of 9.5 to 18 mg of iron per daily dose.
Uses
This iron product and multivitamin medication are used to prevent or treat vitamin deficiency. Deficiency of vitamins can occur due to poor diet, pregnancy, certain illnesses, and infections. The important building blocks of the body are vitamins and iron which keep you in good health.
How to use Geritol
You can use this medicine by mouth once a day or as your doctor prescribed. You should follow your doctor’s advice or all the instruction on the product package. Do not take more than the prescribed dosage yourself. You should ask your doctor or physician if you have any questions in mind about medicine.
As it is an iron-containing product, the overdose of these products causes fatal poisoning in children under the age of 6. If an accidental overdose does occur, you should seek immediate medical attention or call 911.
Geritol is best when taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before a meal and 3 hours after meals. If the medicine causes stomach upset on an empty stomach, take it with food. Here are some foods you should avoid before and after taking medication as they can decrease their effectiveness. It includes:
- Calcium-Rich Foods
- Pickled, Cured, and Fermented Foods
- Antacids
- Dairy products
- Tea or coffee
- Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice
Unless your doctor recommends, you should take medicine with a full glass of water and do not lay for 10 minutes after taking a pill or capsule. For detailed instructions read the product package of your particular brand or consult your doctor.
If you are taking extended-release medicine e.g., capsules, you should not chew or crush them, swallow them whole. Chewing and crushing can release all of the drugs at once which can increase the risk of side effects that can be severe. Always take the recommended or prescribed medicine regularly to get benefits from them.
Side Effects of Geritol
The side effects of Geritol are usually uncommon and temporary. Side effects may improve or disappear when your body adjusts to Geritol. Iron can cause your stools to darken which is not considered a harmful effect. Besides, here are some of the side effects of Geritol, it includes:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- A very serious allergic reaction but is rare
- Rash
- Itching on the skin, mouth, tongue, throat, and palate
- Redness on the skin
- Severe dizziness
- Trouble Breathing
We did not include all of the side effects, if you notice any other of the above symptoms contact your doctor immediately. If any side effects occur contact your doctor before it gets worse.
According to some experts, many people using Geritol do not have serious side effects. You should be borne in mind that your doctor prescribes medicine after your diagnosis and judgment. He prescribes on the base of its benefits which are greater than its risk of side effects.
Precautions
The precaution in using this medicine is to tell your doctor about your medical history. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, you should inform your doctor about your allergy before using this. Especially iron overload diseases, alcohol drinking habits, and liver, stomach, and intestinal problems.
Ingredients used in Geritol Liquid B-Vitamins and Iron are:
- Invert Sugar
- Purified Water
- Alcohol 12%
- Brewer’s Yeast
- Ferric Ammonium Citrate
- Caramel Color
- Choline Bitartrate
- Niacinamide
- Citric Acid
- dl-Methionine
- Thiamine HCl
- Riboflavin
- d-Panthenol
- Flavors
- Benzoic Acid
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Pyridoxine HCl
- Soy
This medication passes into breast milk, therefore, inform your health care provider before using it.
Overdose of Geritol
If someone has accidentally taken an overdose of Geritol and serious symptoms occur such as trouble breathing. Without any waste of time contact your doctor or call 911 for immediate medical attention. Symptoms of overdose may include:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Trouble Breathing
US residents can call 1-800-222-1222 their local poison control center.
Notes
- Do not share this medicine with others if your doctor has recommended you.
- Do not do self-treatment, as it will only worsen the condition.
- Always take medicine after the prescription of a board-certified Physician.
- Remember that Geritol is not suitable for a proper diet, get your minerals and vitamins from healthy foods.
- Always ask your doctor before doing any change in dosage.
- Take medication regularly at the proper times to get its benefits.
