New option with added vitamin B6 may help women who suffer from severe nausea and vomiting during their pregnancy
SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 1, 2010) – Mission Pharmacal announced today the addition of CitraNatal® B-Calm to its CitraNatal® family of prescription prenatal vitamins. CitraNatal B-Calm offers gentle prenatal nutrition plus the benefits of additional vitamin B6, which supplements a woman's own defense against severe pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Emerging science suggests that vitamin B6 supplementation can be beneficial for pregnant women who suffer with severe nausea during pregnancy.
"For many women, pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be a serious concern," said Neill Walsdorf, Jr., president of Mission Pharmacal. "We are pleased to offer women a prenatal vitamin option that may help provide some relief during their pregnancies, while providing the quality and comfort women have come to trust with the CitraNatal name."
As many as 85 percent of pregnant women may experience nausea and up to half may experience vomiting early during their pregnancies. With 75 mg of vitamin B6 dosed over 24 hours, CitraNatal B-Calm may be used in conjunction with a physician prescribed regimen to help minimize these symptoms.
CitraNatal B-Calm contains 25 mg of vitamin B6 in the multivitamin and two 25 mg vitamin B6 supplements to be taken at eight-hour intervals. Vitamin B6 is recommended by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as a safe and effective first-line supplementation for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. The multivitamin tablet also contains a signature CitraNatal formula with gentle ingredients for mom and strong nutrition for baby, including folic acid, calcium citrate and carbonyl iron.
In addition, Mission Pharmacal is currently working to add a recently acquired, dual-iron technology into the existing CitraNatal family of prescription prenatal vitamins, including CitraNatal B-Calm, as well as Ferralet 90, a prescription oral iron supplement for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. The new technology is a varied release of carbonyl iron and ferrous gluconate that combines the quick uptake of a ferrous salt and the more prolonged absorption in the body of carbonyl iron.
Women who are pregnant or planning to conceive should consult their healthcare providers prior to beginning any prenatal vitamin regimen.
About the CitraNatal® Line
CitraNatal is marketed by Mission Pharmacal Company based in San Antonio, Texas. CitraNatal vitamins are specially formulated for the many women who require nutritional support prior to conception, throughout pregnancy, and during the postnatal period. The plant-derived DHA found in several CitraNatal products is produced exclusively by Martek Biosciences Corporation based in Columbia, Maryland.
About Mission Pharmacal
Mission Pharmacal is a privately held pharmaceutical company based in San Antonio, Texas. For more than 60 years, the company has been committed to meeting the unique needs of women throughout all stages of life, identifying unmet health needs in the marketplace, and developing innovative prescription and over-the-counter products to meet them. Currently, Mission Pharmacal provides physicians and consumers with pharmaceutical and nutritional products. For more information, visit www.missionpharmacal.com or www.citranatal.com.
Media Contact:
Ami Shah
Cohn&Wolfe
(212) 798-9773
ami.shah@cohnwolfe.com
WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. KEEP THIS PRODUCT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or recently gave birth, CitraNatal® ® prescription multivitamins are designed to improve your nutritional health. Be sure to talk with your physician or healthcare practitioner prior to starting any prescription prenatal vitamin regimen.
Important Safety Information
All CitraNatal® products contain Folic acid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Some patients taking Folic acid have reported allergic reactions. Talk to your doctor before taking CitraNatal® if you have a known sensitivity to any of its ingredients.
CitraNatal® products are not for everyone. If you have certain types of anemia (pernicious anemia or other megaloblastic anemias) and you are vitamin B12 deficient, Folic acid alone is not enough to treat your condition. Doses of more than 0.1 mg Folic acid per day can hide the symptoms of these anemias, making them difficult to diagnose. Consult with your doctor to find the treatment that is right for you.
Certain CitraNatal® products contain an all-natural, plant-based form of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is found in the brain and eye. You should exercise caution to ensure that your prescribed dosage does not exceed 1 gram (1000 mg) per day. Taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day has been shown to have antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and reduced clotting ratio (INR). Inform your doctor and avoid taking omega-3 fatty acids if you are currently taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) or if you have an inherited or acquired tendency to bleed.
CitraNatal® products include iron. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under six. Always keep CitraNatal® products and other medications out of reach of children, and in case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
To report negative side effects, contact Mission Pharmacal Company at 1-800-298-1087 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Expecting? Estimate your due date with this online pregnancy wheel.
Click here for an interactive guide to a baby's growth and development during a typical pregnancy.
