9.6 Vitamins

General Notes

• Vitamins are used for the prevention and treatment of specific deficiency states or where the diet is known to be inadequate; they may be prescribed in the HSC for actual or potential vitamin or mineral deficiency in-line with an ACBS approved indication but should not be prescribed as dietary supplements or as a general ‘pick-me-up’.
• The use of vitamins as general ‘pick-me-ups’ is of unproven value and, in the case of preparations containing Vitamin A or D, may actually be harmful if patients take more than the prescribed dose. Mega-vitamin therapy with water-soluble vitamins, such as ascorbic acid and pyridoxine, is unscientific and can be harmful.
• Deprescribe vitamin products where there is no clinically appropriate indication for their continued use, GP Practice staff can refer to ‘Vitamin and Mineral Prescribing Guidance NI’
• Claims that vitamin C ameliorates colds have not been proven.