Nicadan Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To get the most benefit from your medication, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take your medication as directed, and follow these guidelines:
You can take this medication with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food.
For best absorption, take this medication at bedtime. If you have questions about the timing, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Extended-Release Products: Swallow the tablets whole; do not chew, break, or crush them.
Liquid Medication: Measure the dose carefully using the provided measuring device. If one is not included, ask your pharmacist for a device to measure your medication accurately.
* Chewable Tablets: Chew the tablets thoroughly before swallowing.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Keep your medication in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets. Store it at room temperature in a dry location, away from heat and light. Avoid storing it in a bathroom.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take with food to enhance absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and reduce stomach upset.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose unless advised by a healthcare professional.
- Maintain a balanced diet as supplements are not a substitute for healthy eating.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, some individuals may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you exhibit any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help right away:
Signs of an allergic reaction, including:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
If your product contains iron:
+ Black, tarry, or bloody stools
+ Fever
+ Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
+ Stomach cramps
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms that bother you or persist, contact your doctor for guidance:
Common to all products:
+ Upset stomach
+ Vomiting
If your product contains iron:
+ Diarrhea or constipation
+ Change in stool color to green
+ Stomach pain
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation that is severe or persistent
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Severe headache or dizziness
- Muscle weakness or bone pain
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have to this medication, its components, or other substances, including foods and drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced.
Certain types of anemia, such as pernicious anemia, where your body lacks sufficient vitamin B12.
If you are currently taking levodopa.
If you are taking mineral oil.
* If your medication contains iron:
+ If you have an excessive amount of iron in your body.
+ If you have hemolytic anemia.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health issues with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
If you have a soy allergy, consult with your doctor before taking this medication, as some products may contain soy. Similarly, if you are allergic to tartrazine (also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5), discuss this with your doctor, as some products may contain this ingredient.
When it comes to administering this medication to children, it is important to note that different brands may be suitable for different age groups. Before giving this drug to a child, consult with their doctor to ensure you are using the correct brand and dosage.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor. You and your doctor will need to discuss the potential benefits and risks of taking this medication to you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Hair loss
- Skin peeling
- Bone pain
- Liver damage (from excessive Vitamin A)
- Hypercalcemia (from excessive Vitamin D or Calcium)
- Nerve damage (from excessive Vitamin B6)
- Iron poisoning (especially in children, if iron is present)
What to Do:
Immediately contact a poison control center or emergency medical services. Call 1-800-222-1222 in the US. Bring the product container with you.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Warfarin (Coumadin) with high doses of Vitamin K: Vitamin K can reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
- Tetracyclines/Quinolones with Calcium/Magnesium/Iron/Zinc: Reduced absorption of antibiotics due to chelation.
Moderate Interactions
- Levothyroxine with Calcium/Iron: Reduced absorption of thyroid hormone.
- Bisphosphonates with Calcium/Iron/Magnesium: Reduced absorption of bisphosphonates.
- Diuretics (Thiazide) with Calcium: Increased risk of hypercalcemia.
- Diuretics (Loop) with Thiamine/Potassium/Magnesium: Increased excretion of these nutrients.
- Phenytoin/Phenobarbital/Carbamazepine with Folic Acid/Vitamin D/Vitamin K: May increase metabolism of vitamins, leading to deficiency.
- Cholestyramine/Colestipol/Orlistat with Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K): Reduced absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Minor Interactions
- Antacids with Iron: Reduced iron absorption.
- Corticosteroids with Vitamin D/Calcium: May reduce bone density.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To identify potential dietary gaps and determine the need for supplementation.
Timing: Prior to starting supplementation.
Rationale: To identify conditions that may affect vitamin absorption, metabolism, or increase nutrient requirements.
Timing: Prior to starting supplementation.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Ongoing, patient self-monitoring
Target: Absence of symptoms
Action Threshold: Development of new or worsening symptoms; consult healthcare provider.
Frequency: Only if clinically indicated (e.g., suspected deficiency, high-dose supplementation, specific medical conditions)
Target: Within normal reference ranges
Action Threshold: Levels outside normal range; adjust dosage or investigate underlying cause.
Symptom Monitoring
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Skin changes (e.g., dryness, rashes)
- Hair loss
- Vision changes
- Bone pain
- Muscle cramps
- Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation)
- Headache
- Dizziness
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Multivitamins, specifically prenatal vitamins, are highly recommended during pregnancy to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients like folic acid (to prevent neural tube defects), iron, and calcium. However, excessive intake of certain vitamins (e.g., Vitamin A in retinol form) can be harmful.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Multivitamins are generally safe and often recommended during lactation to support maternal health and ensure adequate nutrient transfer to breast milk. Specific needs for certain vitamins (e.g., Vitamin D, B vitamins) may be higher.
Pediatric Use
Age-appropriate multivitamin formulations (drops, chewables) are available and may be recommended for children with restricted diets, poor appetite, or specific medical conditions. Dosing must be carefully managed to avoid toxicity, especially with fat-soluble vitamins and iron.
Geriatric Use
Older adults may have increased needs for certain vitamins (e.g., Vitamin D, B12 due to reduced absorption) and minerals. Multivitamin supplementation can help address these needs, but caution is advised regarding potential interactions with multiple medications.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Advise patients that multivitamins are supplements, not substitutes for a healthy diet.
- Emphasize the importance of taking multivitamins with food to improve absorption and minimize GI upset.
- Educate patients about potential interactions, especially with warfarin (Vitamin K) and certain antibiotics (minerals).
- Remind patients that 'more is not always better' and exceeding recommended doses can lead to toxicity, particularly with fat-soluble vitamins and iron.
- For specific deficiencies, targeted single-vitamin supplements may be more appropriate than a general multivitamin.
- Counsel pregnant women on the critical importance of folic acid and the risks of excessive Vitamin A.
Alternative Therapies
- Dietary modifications to increase nutrient intake from food sources.
- Targeted single-vitamin or mineral supplements for specific deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin D, B12, Iron).
- Fortified foods (e.g., cereals, milk).