Multi-Vitamin Fluoride Drops

H.J. Harkins Company, Inc.
Boca Pharmacal, Inc.

Unknown Title

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

MULTI-VITAMIN FLUORIDE DROPS
0.25 mg per mL
Rx Only

Active ingredient for caries prophylaxis: Fluoride as sodium fluoride. Does not contain folic acid.

Other ingredients: Caramel color, cherry flavor, ferrous sulfate, oil of orange, glycerin, methylparaben, polysorbate 80, purified water, sodium benzoate and sodium hydroxide.

It is well established that fluoridation of water supply (1 ppm fluoride) during the period of tooth development leads to a significant decrease in the incidence of dental caries.

Hydroxyapatite is the principal crystal for all calcified tissue in the human body. The fluoride ion reacts with the hydroxyapatite in the tooth as it is formed to produce the more caries-resistant crystal, fluorapatite.

The reaction may be expressed by the equation:¹

Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ + 2F-  CA₁₀(PO₄)₆F₂ + 2OH-

(Hydroxyapatite)           (Fluorapatite)

Three stages of fluoride deposition in tooth enamel can be distinguished:
1. Small amounts (reflecting the low levels of fluoride in tissue fluids) are incorporated into the enamel crystals while they are being formed.

2. After enamel has been laid down, fluoride deposition continues in the surface enamel. Diffusion of fluoride from the surface inward is apparently restricted.

3. After eruption, the surface enamel acquires fluoride from water, food, supplementary fluoride and smaller amounts from saliva.

Supplementation of the diet with vitamins A, C and D.
Multi-Vitamin Fluoride Drops 0.25 mg also provide fluoride for caries prophylaxis.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children up to age 16, in areas where drinking water contains less than optimal levels of fluoride, receive daily fluoride supplementation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that infants and young children 6 months to 3 years of age, in areas where drinking water contains less than 0.3 ppm of fluoride, and children 3-6 years of age, in areas where the drinking water contains 0.3 through 0.6 ppm of fluoride, receive 0.25 mg of supplemental fluoride daily which is provided in a dose of 1 mL of Multi-Vitamin Fluoride 0.25 mg drops. (see Dosage and Administration).

Multi-Vitamin Fluoride 0.25 mg drops supply significant amounts of vitamins A, C and D to supplement the diet, and to help assure that nutritional deficiencies of these vitamins will not develop. Thus, in a single easy-to-use preparation, children obtain essential vitamins and fluoride.

As in the case of all medications, keep out of reach of children.

The suggested dose should not be exceeded since dental fluorosis may result from continued ingestion of large amounts of fluoride.

When prescribing vitamin fluoride products:
1. Determine the fluoride content of the drinking water.

2. Make sure the child is not receiving significant amounts of fluoride from other medications and swallowed toothpaste.

3. Periodically check to make sure that the child does not develop significant dental fluorosis.

Multi-Vitamin and Fluoride Drops 0.25 mg should be dispensed in the original plastic container, since contact with glass leads to instability and precipitation. (The amount of sodium fluoride in the 50 mL size is well below the maximum to be dispensed at one time according to recommendations of the American Dental Association.)

Important Considerations When Using Dosage Schedule:

• If fluoride level is unknown, drinking water should be tested for fluoride content before supplements are prescribed. For testing of fluoride content, contact the local or state health department.
• All sources of fluoride should be evaluated with a thorough fluoride history.
• Patient exposure to multiple water sources can make proper prescribing complex.
• Ingestion of higher than recommended levels of fluoride by children has been associated with an increase in mild dental fluorosis in developing, unerupted teeth.
• Fluoride supplements require long-term compliance on a daily basis.

Allergic rash and other idiosyncrasies have been rarely reported.

See following chart. May be dropped directly into mouth with dropper; or mixed with cereal, fruit juice or other food.

Multi-Vitamin and Fluoride 0.25 mg drops is available in 50 mL bottles with accompanying calibrated dropper.

Store at controlled room temperature, 15º-25ºC (59º-77ºF). Excursions permitted. After opening, store away from direct light. Close tightly after each use. Occasional deepening of color has no significant effect on vitamin potency.
REFRIGERATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

SHAKE WELL

1. Brudevoid F, McCann HG: Fluoride and caries control - Mechanism of action, in Nizel AE (ed): The Science of Nutrition and its Application in Clinical Dentistry. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co, 966, pp 331-347.

2. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition: Fluoride supplementation, Pediatrics 1986;77:758.

3. American Dental Association Council on Dental Therapeutics: Accepted Dental Therapeutics, ed 38, Chicago, 1979, p 321.

4. Hennon DK, Stookey GK, Muhler JC: The clinical anticariogenic effectiveness of supplementary fluoride-vitamin preparations - Results at the end of three years. J Dent Children 1966; 33 January:3-12.

5. Hennon DK, Stookey GK, Muhler JC: The clinical anticariogenic effectiveness of supplementary fluoride-vitamin preparations - Results at the end of four years. J Dent Children 1967; 34\ November;439- 443.

6. Hennon DK, Stookey GK, Muhler JC: The clinical anticariogenic effectiveness of supplementary fluoride-vitamin preparations - Results at the end of five and a half years. Phar and Ther in Dent 1970; 1:1.

7. Hennon DK, Stookey GK, Beiswanger BB: Fluoride-vitamin supplements: Effects on dental caries and fluorosis when used in areas with suboptimum fluoride in the water supply. J Am Dent Assoc 1977; 95-965.

Manufactured for: Boca Pharmacal, Inc. Coral Springs, FL 33065 www.bocapharmacal.com 1-800-354-8460 Rev. 05/11

[Rev 7]