Multiple vitamin overdose Health Article

Definition

Multiple vitamin overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of multivitamin supplements.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

Any ingredient in a multiple vitamin supplement can be toxic in large amounts, but the most serious risk comes from iron or calcium.

See also: Iron overdose

Where Found

A variety of mutivitamin supplements are sold over the counter.

Symptoms

• Bladder and kidneys
  • Cloudy urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased urine output
• Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
  • Dry, cracking lips (from chronic overdose)
  • Eye irritation
  • Increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• Heart and blood
  • Electrical disturbances (arrhythmias) in the heart
• Muscles and joints
  • Bone pain
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle pain
  • Muscle weakness
• Nervous system
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Headache
  • Mental changes
  • Mood changes
  • Irritability
• Skin and hair
  • Flushing from niacin (vitamin B3)
  • Dry cracking skin
  • Itching
  • Yellow-orange areas of skin
  • Sun-sensitivity (more likely to sunburn)
  • Hair loss (from long-term overdose)
• Stomach and intestines
  • Appetite loss
  • Constipation (from iron or calcium)
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Weight loss (from long-term overdose)

Home Treatment

Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• When it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: National Poison Control center