ascorbic acid + biotin + calcium + 22 other active ingredients: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm a credible nutritional indication and assess dietary protein and energy adequacy.
• Review prescribed, over-the-counter and nutritional products for duplicate vitamins and minerals.
• Patients with thyroid disorders should obtain medical advice before use.
• Discuss the potential beta-carotene risk with current smokers and people previously exposed to asbestos.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypercalcaemia.
• Haemochromatosis or another iron-storage disorder.
• Hypersensitivity to an active ingredient or excipient.
• Peanut or soya allergy because the formulation contains soya bean oil.

Monitoring

• No routine monitoring schedule is specified; tailor assessment to the indication, malabsorption, comorbidity and interacting medicines.
• Review iron and calcium status where accumulation is possible or suspected.
• Consider thyroid status and medicine absorption when relevant.

Clinical pharmacology

A combined replacement product supplying water- and fat-soluble vitamins, macrominerals and trace elements that support enzymatic reactions, antioxidant defence, blood-cell production, collagen formation, calcium–phosphate handling, thyroid function and cellular metabolism.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected product is a brown-and-maroon soft gelatin capsule intended to be swallowed whole.
• Vitamin A activity is supplied as beta-carotene and vitamin D as ergocalciferol.
• The capsule contains soya bean oil, soya lecithin and gelatin.
• Amaranth and Ponceau 4R colouring agents may cause allergic reactions.