Appeton Multivitamin Lysine With Prebiotics Tablet

Appeton Multivitamin Lysine With Prebiotics Tablet is a children’s multivitamin dietary supplement from Appeton, manufactured by Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd in Malaysia. It comes as light, chewy, red, fruity-flavoured, star-shaped chewable tablets, and this pack contains 60 tablets. Each tablet combines eleven vitamins and vitamin-like nutrients with the essential amino acid lysine and two prebiotic fibres, inulin and oligofructose. The formula is intended as an additional source of nutrients for children whose diet may not provide enough on its own.

Each chewable tablet provides vitamin A 1500 IU, vitamin D3 100 IU, vitamin E 10 IU, vitamin C 50mg, vitamin B1 0.25mg, vitamin B2 0.25mg, vitamin B6 0.25mg, vitamin B12 2mcg, nicotinamide 2.5mg and folic acid 0.25mg, together with lysine 50mg, inulin 25mg and oligofructose 25mg. Vitamin A contributes to normal vision and immune function, vitamin D3 contributes to normal calcium absorption and bone health, and vitamin C and vitamin E act as antioxidant nutrients. The B vitamins and nicotinamide are involved in normal energy metabolism, while vitamin B12 and folic acid contribute to normal red blood cell formation.

Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means the body cannot make it and must obtain it from food such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy and legumes. Inulin and oligofructose are fermentable fibres that serve as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut. The manufacturer’s directions are for children aged 3 years and above, with the number of tablets depending on age. This product supplements, but does not replace, a varied and balanced diet, and parents should seek advice from a doctor if a child has ongoing poor appetite, weight loss or slow growth.

Give the tablet once daily according to your child’s age (see Dosage). The tablet is a chewable tablet, so it should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing rather than swallowed whole. It can be taken with or after a meal, and giving it at the same time each day can help make it part of a routine.

Always supervise young children while they chew the tablet and make sure they are sitting upright. Do not give the tablet to a child who is lying down, crying or running around, and do not give it to children who cannot chew well. Keep the bottle out of children’s sight and reach between doses, because the sweet fruity taste may tempt children to take extra tablets.

Children aged 3 to 8 years: 1 chewable tablet daily.

Children aged 9 years and above: 1 to 2 chewable tablets daily.

The manufacturer does not provide a dose for children under 3 years old, so do not give this tablet to children under 3 unless a doctor advises it. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. If a dose is missed, simply give the next dose the following day; do not give a double dose to make up for it.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed after each use to protect the chewable tablets from humidity. Follow any additional storage instructions on the product label, and keep out of the sight and reach of children.

• Common: Mild stomach discomfort, nausea or loose stools, especially if taken on an empty stomach.
• Common: Mild bloating or wind, which may occur with prebiotic fibres such as inulin and oligofructose in sensitive children.
• Common: Bright yellow urine, which is a harmless effect of vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
• Serious: Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing. Stop use and seek medical help immediately.
• Serious: Choking if a young child does not chew the tablet properly. Seek emergency help if a child has difficulty breathing after swallowing a tablet.
• Serious: Signs of excess vitamin A or vitamin D if too many tablets are taken or several vitamin products are combined, such as headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, drowsiness, irritability, excessive thirst or frequent urination. Contact a doctor promptly.

• Children with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the tablet, including the prebiotic fibres, flavouring or colouring.
• Children under 3 years old, unless specifically advised by a doctor, as the manufacturer’s dosing starts from age 3 and chewable tablets carry a choking risk in young children.
• Children who are already receiving high-dose vitamin A or vitamin D, or who have been told they have high blood levels of vitamin A, vitamin D or calcium, unless a doctor approves its use.

• Other multivitamins, cod liver oil or fortified products: Taking this tablet with other products containing vitamin A or vitamin D (for example cod liver oil emulsions, other children’s multivitamins or vitamin drops) can add up to excessive intake. Check all labels and ask a pharmacist before combining them.
• Folic acid-containing products: Each tablet provides 0.25mg of folic acid, so avoid adding other folic acid supplements unless a doctor advises it.
• Anti-seizure medicines and methotrexate: Folic acid may interact with some anti-seizure medicines (such as phenytoin) and with methotrexate. Children on these medicines should only use this product with their doctor’s approval.
• Retinoid medicines: Vitamin A supplements should not be combined with oral retinoids (such as isotretinoin used by some teenagers for acne) without medical advice, because of the risk of vitamin A excess.
• Food: No significant food interactions are known. Taking the tablet with or after a meal may reduce stomach upset.

• Make sure your child chews the tablet fully and stays seated while eating it.
• Give the tablet with breakfast or another regular meal so it becomes part of the daily routine.
• Keep the bottle out of reach, since children may mistake the fruity tablets for sweets.
• Avoid giving another multivitamin or cod liver oil at the same time unless a pharmacist or doctor has checked the combined amounts.
• Continue to offer a varied diet with fruit, vegetables, protein foods and dairy; the tablet is only a supplement.
• See a doctor if your child has persistent poor appetite, weight loss or is not growing as expected, rather than relying on supplements alone.

Precautions: This product is intended for children aged 3 years and above. Supervise young children while they chew the tablet, as chewable tablets can be a choking hazard. Vitamin A and vitamin D are fat-soluble and can build up in the body, so avoid giving more than the recommended number of tablets or combining this product with other vitamin A or vitamin D sources (such as cod liver oil or other multivitamins) without professional advice. Children with long-term medical conditions, food allergies or who take regular medicines should be reviewed by a doctor or pharmacist first. If the product label lists sugar or sweeteners, take these into account for children with special dietary needs and encourage tooth brushing as part of daily care.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: Seek urgent medical advice if a child has swallowed several tablets or a large amount at once, even if they seem well, or if they show signs of an allergic reaction or choking. See a doctor if your child has a persistently poor appetite, is losing weight, is unusually tired or is not growing as expected, as these may need medical assessment. Ask a pharmacist before using this product together with any other vitamin, mineral or herbal product.