Vitamins & Supplements

Supplements chosen by pharmacists, not by hype. Vitamin D, iron, probiotics, omega 3, magnesium and well-researched brands such as Revive Active, Alflorex, OptiBac, Pharma Nord and Vitabiotics, with straight answers on what is worth taking.

All productsMedicines and TreatmentsSkincareVitamins & SupplementsPersonal CareDental CareHair CareBaby & ChildSensitive & MedicatedSun ProtectionDigestive Health

Which supplements are actually worth taking?

Most people in Ireland do not need a cupboard full of supplements. A few are backed by good evidence for a lot of people, and the rest depend on your diet, your age and your health. Here is our pharmacists' honest list.

Worth it for most people

  • Vitamin D. Ireland sits too far north to make enough from sunlight between October and March, and the HSE recommends a daily supplement for adults and children through the winter. 1000 to 2000 IU a day is typical for adults; babies need 5 micrograms (200 IU) daily from birth.
  • Omega 3, if you do not eat oily fish twice a week. Look for the EPA and DHA content on the label rather than the total fish oil figure.

Worth it if you fit the group

  • Iron: for heavy periods, pregnancy, vegetarian and vegan diets, or if a blood test has shown low levels. Gentle forms such as Active Iron or Spatone cause less constipation than standard ferrous sulphate, and vitamin C helps absorption.
  • Folic acid: 400 micrograms daily for anyone who could become pregnant, ideally from before conception.
  • Vitamin B12: for vegans, people over 65 and anyone on long-term acid-reducing medicines.
  • Probiotics: during and after antibiotics, for IBS symptoms (Alflorex has the strongest evidence for IBS) and for recurrent thrush or bloating.
  • Magnesium: for leg cramps, restless sleep and tension, as glycinate or citrate rather than oxide.

Nice to have

A good multivitamin such as Revive Active, Berocca or Centrum is a reasonable safety net when you are run down, stressed or eating badly, but it is not a substitute for vitamin D or iron if you specifically need those. Collagen, hair and nail formulas and energy blends can help some people and do no harm, but the evidence is thinner.

How to read the label

Check the dose per tablet, not per pack. Compare the elemental amount, for example "25 mg elemental iron", not the salt weight. Look for an Irish or EU food supplement notification and a batch number. Price per day is more useful than price per box.

Check with us first if: you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you take warfarin or other blood thinners, you have kidney disease, or you are on thyroid medication. Several common supplements interact with these.
Pharmacist tip: take iron away from tea, coffee and calcium, take vitamin D with a meal containing fat, and take probiotics at the same time each day so you do not forget.

Common questions about vitamins & supplements

Do I need to take vitamin D in Ireland?

The HSE recommends it for everyone from October to March, and year-round for people who are housebound, dark-skinned or over 65. Adults typically take 1000 to 2000 IU daily. Babies should have 5 micrograms a day from birth, which is in the Baby Vit D3 drops we stock.

Which iron supplement can I take if iron tablets upset my stomach?

Active Iron, Spatone and Floradix are the gentlest options we stock and cause far less constipation than standard ferrous sulphate. Take them away from tea and coffee. If a blood test showed very low iron, your GP may still want a prescription-strength tablet.

Which probiotic should I take with antibiotics?

OptiBac For Those On Antibiotics is designed for exactly this and can be taken at the same time as the antibiotic. For ongoing IBS symptoms, Alflorex has the strongest clinical evidence. For general gut health, OptiBac Every Day or Bio-Kult are good daily options.

Is Revive Active worth the money?

It is a well-formulated multivitamin and mineral blend with CoQ10 and L-arginine, and many customers feel a real difference in energy, especially when run down. It is not a replacement for vitamin D or iron if you specifically need those, but as a daily all-rounder it is one of the better options.

Can I take supplements with my prescription medicines?

Usually, but not always. St John's Wort, high-dose vitamin K, iron, calcium and some herbal products interact with common medicines. Tell us what you take when you order, or message us on WhatsApp, and we will check for you.

Written and reviewed by the pharmacist team at Laois Pharmacy, Portlaoise. General information only, not a substitute for advice about your own health. Ask us in store or on WhatsApp.