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multivitamin

Multivitamin is a dietary supplement.

Generic

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 23, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass
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Key facts

Active ingredient
Multivitamin
Form
Tablet, chewable
Type
Supplement

What is Multivitamin?

From the FDA label:Each Chewable Tablet Contains: Vitamin A (as Retinyl Acetate).................................... 750 mcg RAE Vitamin C (as Sodium Ascorbate and Ascorbic Acid).............. 60 mg Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol)............................................ 10 mcg Vitamin E (as DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate)........................ 10 mg Thiamin (as Thiamine Mononitrate).................................... 1.05 mg Riboflavin............................................................................... 1.2 mg Niacin (as Niacinamide)....................................................... 13.5 mg Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride).......................... 1.05 mg Folate (as L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate calcium salt)…1700 mcg DFE (1000 mcg as L-5-Methylfolate) Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)..................................... 4.5 mcg

What the evidence says

What Multivitamin is

A multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplement combines several vitamins and minerals — and sometimes other ingredients — into a single tablet, capsule, gummy, powder, or liquid. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, there is no standard or regulatory definition of an MVM, so which nutrients are included and in what amounts can vary widely from one product to the next. An MVM is not a substitute for a varied diet, since whole foods also supply fiber and other components that supplements do not.

Commonly used for

Helping fill nutrient gaps when someone does not get enough vitamins and minerals from food aloneUsed by people on low-calorie diets, with a poor appetite, or who avoid certain foods (for example, strict vegetarians and vegans)Taken as general nutritional or dietary insuranceTaken during pregnancy as a prenatal supplement to help ensure enough folic acid, iron, iodine, and vitamin DSome older adults take them hoping to support cognitive or eye health, though benefits are not established for everyone

What the evidence shows

The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements reports that most studies find taking an MVM has "little or no effect" on the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and others, and on the risk of death. Trials comparing MVMs with placebo have generally not found that they reduce cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks or strokes. ODS states it is "unclear whether taking an MVM affects cancer risk," with conflicting results across studies. Findings on cognitive function in older adults are mixed — a few studies suggest possible benefit in people 60 and older, but the overall evidence is not conclusive. Importantly, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) used a specific high-dose formula (not a standard everyday multivitamin) in people who already had age-related macular degeneration or cataracts, so it is not evidence that ordinary MVMs prevent eye disease in the general population. MVMs are most clearly useful for people who are not meeting their nutrient needs from diet alone.

Typical dosage

There is no single recommended dose. Basic MVMs are usually taken once daily as directed on the product label. Because some nutrients are harmful in excess, ODS advises reading labels, accounting for fortified foods and any other supplements, keeping total intake below the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs), and not doubling up on supplements unless a clinician advises it. The general guidance is to get nutrients from food first and to talk with a healthcare provider (doctor, registered dietitian, or pharmacist) about whether an MVM — and which one — is appropriate for you.

Safety

For most people, a basic, properly manufactured MVM is unlikely to be harmful. ODS cautions that smokers, and perhaps former smokers, should avoid MVMs with large amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin A, because these may increase the risk of lung cancer. During pregnancy, excess preformed vitamin A should be avoided because too much can raise the risk of birth defects (this concern does not apply to beta-carotene). As a general regulatory note, dietary supplements are not reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed.

Side effects

Basic MVMs taken at recommended amounts are generally well tolerated, and ODS does not describe common routine side effects for standard-dose products. Most reported harms are tied to getting too much of certain nutrients — exceeding the upper limits, especially when an MVM is combined with fortified foods and other supplements. ODS specifically flags the risk of excess intake of nutrients such as iron, vitamin A, zinc, niacin, and folic acid.

Interactions & cautions

Basic MVMs usually do not interact with medications, with one important exception highlighted by ODS: people taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) should talk with their healthcare provider before taking any MVM or supplement containing vitamin K, which can reduce the drug's effectiveness. Separately, as a general pharmacology point (not specific to these ODS fact sheets), minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc can bind certain antibiotics — including fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines — and lower their absorption, so doses are typically spaced apart. Always tell your healthcare providers about every supplement you take.

Sources

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Summarized from public health authorities; general reference, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

How to use

One tablet daily, to be dissolved in the mouth or chewed before swallowing.

Side effects

Folate: Allergic sensitizations has been reported following both oral and parenteral administration of folate. Adverse reactions have been reported with specific vitamins and minerals but generally at levels substantially higher than those contained herein. However, allergic and idiosyncratic reactions are possible at lower levels.

Warnings

Important safety information

Keep out of the reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. CAUTION: Should be chewed.

Who should not take Multivitamin

This product is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.

Dosage forms

Tablet, chewable

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

Ask for the generic

Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →

Request a 90-day supply

Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.

Use copay cards

Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.

Compare alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

What forms does Multivitamin come in?
Multivitamin is currently marketed as tablet, chewable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
Is Multivitamin safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Multivitamin. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Multivitamin?
Multivitamin's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Folate: Allergic sensitizations has been reported following both oral and parenteral administration of folate. Adverse reactions have been reported with specific vitamins and minerals but generally at levels substantially higher than those contained herein. However,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

What people report to the FDA about Multivitamin

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 77,464 reports naming Multivitamin, and the FDA flagged 50% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

  • fatigue6,158 reports
  • nausea5,219 reports
  • diarrhoea4,541 reports
  • headache4,251 reports
  • dizziness3,690 reports
  • dyspnoea3,238 reports
  • asthenia2,936 reports
  • arthralgia2,718 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean Multivitamin caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.

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