First and only once-daily, prescription prenatal vitamin with calcium citrate may provide women with more comfort during pregnancy
SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 17, 2010) – Mission Pharmacal announced today the introduction of CitraNatal® Harmony™, the newest addition to the CitraNatal® family of prescription prenatal vitamins. CitraNatal Harmony is the first and only single dose, prescription prenatal vitamin with calcium citrate.
Calcium citrate provides critical calcium to help with the baby's bone growth without producing gas or bloating for mom that can be found in other calcium supplements.
"Many women suffer from discomfort during their pregnancies," said Terrell Herring, president of the Pharmaceutical Division of Mission Pharmacal. "We are pleased to provide these women added comfort and convenience with the launch of CitraNatal Harmony."
CitraNatal Harmony also offers mom and baby essential vitamins and minerals, including 250 mg of Martek's life'sDHA™, in one easy-to-take, vanilla-scented gel cap. DHA is the essential fatty acid recommended for optimal brain and eye development and has optimized benefits for babies. It has been shown to support increased birth weight and size and enhance visual and cognitive abilities. The vitamin also contains a safe, gentle carbonyl iron and a stool softener to help ease the constipation that often accompanies pregnancy.
In addition, Mission Pharmacal is currently reformulating its prescription prenatal and prescription iron products to include a recently acquired and patented dual-iron technology.
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.
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