multivitamins, vision

Multivitamins for the eyes are a combination of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, used as supplements to maintain eye health and to prevent the development or worsening of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

• Macula is the central part of the retina that is responsible for central vision, color vision, and details. AMD is a common eye disease in people over 50 years of age that causes blurry or loss of central vision.
• AMD may be of two types, dry AMD which is thinning of the macula, or wet AMD in which new blood vessels grow and leak under the retina.

Multivitamins for the eyes come in various combinations and contain different formulations of vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals including calcium, zinc, and copper, and other nutrients such as lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zeaxanthin (carotenoid). Multivitamins provide supplemental nutrition to maintain macular health and reduce the risk of vision loss in patients with AMD, and the risk of dry AMD progressing to wet AMD. Eye vitamins are available over the counter (OTC).

• Do not take vision multivitamins if you are hypersensitive to any of the components in the formulations.
• Avoid taking vision multivitamins if you already have excessively high levels of vitamins (hypervitaminosis).
• Smokers should avoid multivitamin formulations containing high doses of beta-carotene. It can increase the risk for lung cancer and other tobacco-related cancers.

Common side effects of eye vitamins include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Constipation

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:

• Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
• Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.

This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Large number of multivitamin products available; consult each product labeling

Adult:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

• In a National Eye Institute’s age-related eye disease study (AREDS) results showed a reduction in risk of 25% for developing advanced AMD and a 19% reduction in the risk of vision loss among moderate to advanced AMD patients

PreserVision Eye Vitamin AREDS 2 Formula Soft Gels

• Capsule: zinc 17.4 mg; vitamin C 113 mg; vitamin E 100 IU; omega-3 250 mg; lutein 2.5 mg; zeaxanthin 2 mg (replaces beta-carotene)
• 1 capsule orally twice daily with morning and evening meals

PreserVision Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula Soft Gels

• Capsule: zinc 34.8 mg; vitamin A 14, 320 IU; vitamin C 226 mg; vitamin E 200 IU; copper 0.8 mg
• 1 capsule orally twice daily with morning and evening meals

PreserVision Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula Tablets

• Tablet: zinc 17.4 mg; vitamin A 7,160 IU; vitamin C 113 mg; vitamin E 100 IU; copper 0.4 mg
• 2 tablets orally twice daily with morning and evening meals

PreserVision Eye Vitamin Lutein Formula Soft Gels

• Capsule: zinc 34.8 mg; vitamins C 226 mg and E 200 IU; copper 0.8 mg; lutein 5 mg
• 1 capsule orally twice daily with morning and evening meals

ICAPS Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula

• Soft-gel cap: zinc 17.4 mg; vitamin A 7,160 IU; vitamin C 113 mg; vitamin E 100 IU; copper 0.4 mg
• 2 capsules orally twice daily with morning and evening meals

Ocular Vitamin Supplementation

Ocuvite Adult 50 plus Age-adjusted Formula

• Capsule: zinc 9 mg; vitamin C 150 mg; vitamin E 30 IU; copper 1 mg; lutein 6 mg; omega-3 150 mg
• 1 capsule once daily, in morning taken with food
• Do not exceed the dose indicated without seeking medical advice

Ocuvite Eye Vitamins & Mineral Supplements

• Tablet: zinc 40 mg; vitamin A 1,000 IU; vitamin C 200 mg; vitamin E 60 IU; copper 2 mg; selenium 55 mcg; lutein 2 mg
• 1 tablet once or twice daily as directed by physician

Ocuvite Lutein Eye Vitamins

• Capsule zinc 15 mg; vitamin C 60 mg; vitamin E 30 IU; copper 2 mg; lutein 6 mg
• 1 capsule once daily or twice daily as directed by physician

ICAPS Eye Vitamin Lutein & Omega-3 Vitamin

• Soft-gel cap: vitamin A 600 mcg; vitamin C 45 mg; vitamin E 10 IU; thiamine 1.2 mg; riboflavin 1.3 mg; niacin 16 mg; vitamin B6 1.3 mg; folic acid 250 mcg; vitamin B12 2.4 mcg; calcium 1 mg; zinc 7 mg; selenium 34 mcg; copper 0.9 mg; manganese 2.3 mg; lutein 10 mg; zeaxanthin 2 mg; omega-3 fatty acids 280 mg
• 1 tablet orally once daily with a meal

ICAPS Eye Vitamin Lutein and Zeaxanthin Formula

• Tablet: vitamin A 3,300 IU; vitamin C 200 mg; vitamin E (dt-alpha tocopheryl acetate) 75 IU; riboflavin 5 mg; zinc 30 mg; copper 4 mg; manganese 5 mg; selenium 20 mcg; lutein/zeaxanthin 2 mg; calcium 20 mg
• 2 tablets orally once daily with a meal

ICAPS Eye Vitamin Multivitamin Formula

• Tablet: vitamin C 128 mg; vitamin D 100 IU; vitamin E 107.5 IU; vitamin K 7.25 mcg; thiamin 0.375 mg; riboflavin 2.5 mg; niacin 2.5 mg; vitamin B6 0.5 mg; folic acid 100 mcg; vitamin B12 1.5 mcg; biotin 7.5 mcg; pantothenic acid 2.5 mg; calcium 82.5 mg; phosphorus 35 mg; iodine 37.5 mcg; magnesium 25 mg; zinc 21.15 mg; selenium 10 mcg; copper 0.9 mg; manganese 0.5 mg; chromium 30 mcg; molybdenum 18.75 mcg; potassium 20 mg; lutein 1.66 mg; zeaxanthin 0.83 mg; lycopene 0.075 mg
• 2 tablets orally twice daily with meals

Pediatric:

• Safety and efficacy not established

Overdose

• Multivitamins, including the minerals and other components they contain, can be toxic with overdose.
• Overdose can cause several side effects including stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Multivitamin overdose may be treated with discontinuation of multivitamins, and symptomatic and supportive care.

Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.

• Multivitamins have no listed severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.

The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.

It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.

• Multivitamins, vision are not intended for use during pregnancy. Do not use if you are pregnant, unless clearly needed.
• Multivitamins are present in breast milk, use with caution if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not use any OTC product without consulting with your healthcare provider, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Take vision multivitamins exactly as prescribed or as per label instructions.
• Multivitamins differ in combinations and formulations, always check the labels for ingredients, dosages and instructions for use.
• Do not administer adult formulations to children, adult dosages can be toxic to children.
• Multivitamins are marketed as dietary supplements, which do not require the kind of extensive pre-marketing approvals from the FDA that drugs require. Exercise caution in choosing your product.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• In case of overdose, seek medical help immediately or contact Poison Control Center.