Multivitamins

Daily all-rounders for when diet is not enough: Revive Active, Berocca, Centrum and Pharmaton for energy, Vitabiotics Wellman and Wellwoman, Pregnacare for pregnancy and breastfeeding, Menopace and Perfectil for specific life stages.

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Choosing a multivitamin

A multivitamin fills gaps; it does not replace a decent diet or a specific supplement you need in a higher dose. Match it to your situation.

  • Run down, busy, eating badly: Berocca or Revive Active give B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and magnesium at useful doses. Revive Active adds CoQ10 and L-arginine and is the premium option; Berocca is quicker and cheaper.
  • Men: Centrum Men and Wellman include zinc and selenium at male-appropriate levels.
  • Women: Wellwoman covers iron and folic acid alongside the basics.
  • Trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding: Pregnacare provides 400 micrograms of folic acid plus vitamin D and iron, in a formula designed for pregnancy. Start folic acid before conception if you can.
  • Perimenopause and menopause: Menopace adds calcium, vitamin D and B vitamins. It is a supplement, not a treatment for hot flushes; talk to us about HRT if symptoms are affecting your life.
  • Hair, skin and nails: Perfectil combines biotin, zinc and selenium. Give it three months.
  • Over 50s and joints: Pharmaton Vitality or Seven Seas JointCare with glucosamine and collagen.

What to check

Vitamin D of at least 10 micrograms (400 IU), folic acid of 400 micrograms if pregnancy is possible, and iron only if you need it. More is not better: very high doses of vitamin A are harmful in pregnancy, and high-dose zinc long term can cause copper deficiency.

Pharmacist tip: a multivitamin usually still leaves you short of vitamin D in winter. Check the label and top up if it is under 10 micrograms.

Common questions about multivitamins

Revive Active or Berocca?

Berocca is a strong B-vitamin and vitamin C effervescent that lifts energy quickly and costs less. Revive Active is a broader formula with 26 ingredients including CoQ10 and L-arginine, taken as a daily sachet. If you want a complete daily supplement, Revive Active; if you want a quick boost, Berocca.

Which vitamin should I take when pregnant?

Folic acid 400 micrograms daily from before conception to 12 weeks, plus vitamin D throughout. Pregnacare Plus provides both together with iron and omega 3. Avoid any supplement containing vitamin A (retinol) in pregnancy.

Can I take a multivitamin every day?

Yes, at the dose on the pack. Problems only arise from taking several products that overlap, for example a multivitamin plus a separate zinc plus Berocca. Tell us what you take and we will check the totals.

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.