Mission Pharmacal Introduces New and Improved Version of Top-Selling Prescription Prenatal Vitamin, CitraNatal Harmony®

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Pharmacal Company today announced the availability of a new, patented dual-iron version of its premier prenatal vitamin, CitraNatal Harmony, the first and only single-pill prescription supplement with calcium citrate.  The new, improved product features Ferr-Ease®, a patented blend of ferrous fumarate, a rapidly absorbing iron salt, and carbonyl iron, known for its gentle, prolonged absorption.  The new CitraNatal Harmony formulation provides a full spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals without causing the gas and discomfort associated with some supplements.

"The dual-iron formulation used in the new CitraNatal Harmony formulation helps women get the iron they need, yet is gentle on the gastrointestinal system," says Nancy Price, Senior Product Manager, CitraNatal, Mission Pharmacal.  "This improved product is significant because all supplements in our CitraNatal family of vitamins now offer the patented dual-iron formulation that gives women added comfort throughout their pregnancies."

New, gentler CitraNatal Harmony is now available in the United States as a prescription supplement to improve nutrition for women prior to conception, throughout pregnancy, and in the postnatal period.  CitraNatal Harmony is safe for use by mothers who are breastfeeding their babies.

CitraNatal Harmony also offers mothers and babies essential vitamins and minerals, including 250 mg of DSM's life'sDHA™*, in one convenient, easy-to-swallow, vanilla-scented gel cap.  DHA is the essential fatty acid recommended for brain and eye development.  It has been shown to support increased birth weight and size and enhance visual and cognitive abilities. The vitamin also contains a stool softener to help ease constipation that often accompanies pregnancy.

Mission Pharmacal and the CitraNatal family of products offer a unique pregnancy support program called Join the Family.  The program for expectant mothers delivers generous cost-savings of up to $300 per year and valuable information geared to a mother's specific stage of pregnancy from conception to breastfeeding.  For details about Join the Family, please visit jointhefamily.citranatal.com.

For more information about CitraNatal Harmony, including full prescribing information, please visit citranatal.com.

About the CitraNatal® Family of Products 
The CitraNatal family of products is one of the top prescribed brands of prescription prenatal vitamins. Each CitraNatal product is formulated to meet the unique challenges experienced by pregnant women and provides optimal nutrition that is gentle on their gastrointestinal systems.

INDICATIONS: CitraNatal Harmony® is a multivitamin/mineral prescription drug indicated for use in improving the nutritional status of women prior to conception, throughout pregnancy, and in the postnatal period for both lactating and nonlactating mothers.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS: This product is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: One capsule daily or as directed by a physician.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and international normalized ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients on anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired bleeding diathesis.

WARNING: Folic acid alone is improper therapy in the treatment of pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias where vitamin B₁₂ is deficient.

PRECAUTIONS: Folic acid in doses above 0.1 mg daily may obscure pernicious anemia in that hematologic remission can occur while neurological manifestations progress.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Allergic sensitivity has been reported following both oral and parenteral administration of folic acid.

CAUTION:  Exercise caution to ensure that the prescribed dosage of DHA does not exceed 1 gram (1000 mg) per day.

Call your physician for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About Mission Pharmacal Company

* life'sDHA is a trademark of DSM.

SOURCE Mission Pharmacal Company