FORCEVAL CAPSULES

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PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

The functions of the vitamins found in Forceval Capsules are:1,2,3,4
Vitamin A (β-Carotene)......... Is essential for growth, maintenance of skin and mucous membranes
such as the linings of the mouth, nose, lungs, digestive system, colon
and for vision, particularly at night
Vitamin D2 ............................ Vitamin D2 helps the body absorb calcium, potassium and
phosphorous, all of which are vital for healthy bones and teeth

Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important
information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription. However, you still need
to take Forceval Capsules carefully to get the best results from them.
•

Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

•

Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.

•

You must contact a doctor, dietician or pharmacist if your symptoms
worsen or do not improve.

•

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effect
not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, dietician or
pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet has been divided into the following
sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What Forceval Capsules are and what they are taken for
Check before you take Forceval Capsules
How to take Forceval Capsules
Possible side effects
How to store Forceval Capsules
Further information

1. What Forceval Capsules are and what they are taken for
Forceval Capsules are a multivitamin and mineral supplement. They contain
a combination of 24 essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
The human body requires a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and trace
elements to perform crucial daily tasks such as releasing energy from
food and repairing cell damage. During certain illnesses, your body
either cannot get or cannot efficiently use all of the vitamins, minerals
and trace elements it needs.
Your doctor, dietician or pharmacist will give you Forceval Capsules if
your diet has not provided you with enough vitamins, minerals and trace
elements.
Each capsule contains the following 24 essential vitamins, minerals and
trace elements, each of which plays a vital role in the efficient daily
maintenance of many body processes:
There are 12 vitamins in Forceval
Capsules:

There are 12 minerals and trace
elements in Forceval Capsules:

Vitamin A (as β-Carotene) .................... 2500 iu
(Retinol Equivalent) (750 micrograms)
Vitamin D2 ................... 400 iu (10 micrograms)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) .............................1.2 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) ..........................1.6 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) ........................ 2.0 mg
Vitamin B12 .............................. 3.0 micrograms
Vitamin C ............................................... 60 mg
Vitamin E ................................................10 mg
Biotin ......................................100 micrograms
Nicotinamide ..........................................18 mg
Pantothenic Acid .................................. 4.0 mg
Folic Acid..................................400 micrograms

Calcium .............................................108 mg
Iron......................................................12 mg
Copper............................................... 2.0 mg
Phosphorous ...................................... 83 mg
Magnesium ........................................ 30 mg
Potassium.......................................... 4.0 mg
Zinc .................................................... 15 mg
Iodine ................................. 140 micrograms
Manganese ....................................... 3.0 mg
Selenium ............................. 50 micrograms
Chromium .......................... 200 micrograms
Molybdenum ......................250 micrograms

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) ............ Is involved in the proper functioning of the heart muscles and for the
release of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrate, needed for
growth, normal appetite and digestion. Thiamin has also been shown
to play a vital role in the normal functioning of the nervous system
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) ......... Vitamin B2 plays a key role in energy metabolism, and is required for
the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)......... Vitamin B6 helps protein metabolism, along with the maintenance of
the nervous and immune systems
Vitamin B12 ........................... Vitamin B12 is often called the ‘red vitamin’ because it is required for
regulating blood cells
Vitamin C .............................. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that plays an important role in
maintaining the health of our cells, blood vessels and our resistance
to infection. Vitamin C also helps bones, teeth, gums, skin and assists
the absorption of iron from the blood
Vitamin E .............................. Vitamin E is a highly effective antioxidant, helping to protect the body
from the effects of free radicals. It also helps to maintain healthy skin
and blood cells
Biotin.................................... Biotin is needed for normal growth and development of the skin and
hair, the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and the healthy
functioning of bone marrow
Nicotinamide ........................ Nicotinamide (also known as vitamin B3) is essential for a healthy
nervous system
Pantothenic acid ................... Pantothenic acid plays a vital role in the process of releasing energy
from foods, the role of fat metabolism and the provision of the
immune system with antibodies
Folic acid ............................... Folic acid is required to regulate the growth of cells including red
blood cells and protein synthesis
The main functions of the minerals and trace elements are:1,2,3,4
Calcium................................. Calcium is necessary for the formation of bones and teeth and plays a
vital role in cell function, muscle contraction and in the nervous
system
Iron ....................................... Iron forms part of red blood cells which carry oxygen round the body
Copper .................................. Is required for growth and forms part of enzymes involved in blood
and bone formation
Phosphorus........................... Phosphorus is necessary for the formation of bones and has an
important role in many varied chemical reactions in the body
Potassium ............................. Potassium is essential in muscle function and in the transmission of
nerve impulses
Magnesium........................... Magnesium is essential for the formation of bones and teeth, and for
the release of energy from food
Zinc....................................... Zinc is required for growth and cell function, bone metabolism, taste,
insulin production and the body’s immune system which fights
infection
Iodine ................................... Involved in functioning of the thyroid gland which regulates many of
the metabolic processes in the body
Manganese ........................... Manganese helps the body to utilise calcium and potassium and
maintain the structure of cells
Selenium............................... Selenium helps to protect the cells and lipids from free radical damage
Chromium............................. Helps the body to use glucose by its action on insulin
Molybdenum ........................ Is involved in the enzyme processes for protein metabolism.

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2. Check before you take Forceval Capsules
Do not take Forceval Capsules:
•

if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients of
Forceval Capsules (see Section 6 Further information)

•

if you suffer from hypercalcaemia (high level of calcium in the blood)

•

if you suffer from iron storage disorders such as bronzed diabetes
(haemochromatosis).

•

if you are allergic to peanut or soya.

Do not give Forceval Capsules to children aged under 12.
Take special care with Forceval Capsules
Before you are given Forceval Capsules tell your doctor, dietician or
pharmacist if:
•
•
•
•

you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
you are a smoker
you have an asbestos related illness such as asbestosis
you suffer from thyroid problems.

4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not
everybody gets them.
Forceval Capsules may cause allergic reactions (such as rash), and
problems related to your stomach and intestines (such as feeling or
being sick and stomach pains).
Reporting side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help
provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Forceval Capsules
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not take Forceval Capsules after the expiry date which is stated on
the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month after EXP.

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your
doctor or pharmacist before taking Forceval Capsules.

Do not store above 25ºC. Keep the blister in the outer carton in order to
protect from light.

Taking other medicines

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist on how to dispose of medicines no longer required.
These measures will help protect the environment.

Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken/used any of the
following medicines as they may interfere with Forceval Capsules:
•

Phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy)

•

Tetracycline antibiotics (used to treat infections) such as doxycycline
and minocycline.

Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken/used any
other medicines including other vitamin or mineral products obtained
without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Forceval Capsules contain vitamin A, check with your doctor, dietician or
pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine during pregnancy.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this
medicine whilst breast-feeding.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Forceval
Capsules
This medicine contains amaranth (E123) and Ponceau 4R (E124), which
may cause allergic reactions.
Forceval Capsules contain soya bean oil. If you are allergic to peanut or
soya, do not take this medicinal product.
Forceval Capsules contain iron, an overdose could be fatal in children
under 12 years.
3. How to take Forceval Capsules

6. Further information
What is in Forceval Capsules?
The active ingredients in this medicine are: Vitamin A (as β-Carotene),
Vitamin D2, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C,
Vitamin E, Biotin, Nicotinamide, Pantothenic acid, Folic acid, Calcium,
Iron, Copper, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Iodine,
Manganese, Selenium, Chromium, Molybdenum.
The other ingredients are Soya Bean Oil, Soya Lecithin, Hard Vegetable
Fat (Biscuitine 621), Yellow Beeswax, Purified Water, Maize Oil, Gelatin,
Glycerine, Ponceau 4R (E124), Amaranth (E123), Titanium Dioxide (E171),
Red Iron Oxide Paste (E172), Vegetable Black Paste (E153)
What Forceval Capsules look like and contents of the pack
Forceval Capsules are brown and maroon, soft gelatin capsules printed
with FORCEVAL in white on one side . They come in cartons containing
15, 30, 45 or 90 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The product licence holder is: Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited,
Avonbridge House, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB, UK.
Forceval capsules are manufactured by: Pharmapac (UK) Limited,
Valley Road Business Park, Bidston, Merseyside, CH41 7EL, UK.
The information in this leaflet applies only to Forceval Capsules. If you
have any questions or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor.

Adults and Elderly: One capsule per day or as prescribed by the doctor.
The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

This leaflet was last revised in: February 2015.

Children: Do not give Forceval Capsules to children aged under 12.

1) Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom (1991), H.M.S.O
2) Recommended Dietary Allowances 10th edition, (1989), Subcommittee on the 10th edition of
RDA’s. Food and Nutrition Board Commission of Life Sciences. National Research Committee
3) Manual of Nutritional Therapeutics (1983). David H. Alpers, Ray E. Clouse, William F. Stenson,
Fourth Printing December 1986.
4) The Pharmacological basis of Therapeutics, 7th Edition (1985), Goodman and Gilman.

What to do if you take more Forceval Capsules than you should
If you (or someone else) accidentally take too many tablets, you should
tell your doctor at once or contact the nearest accident and emergency
department. Show any left over medicines or the empty packet to the
doctor.
If you forget to take Forceval Capsules
Do not worry. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible,
unless it is almost time to take the next dose (within 1-2 hours). Do not
take a double dose. Then go on as before.

REFERENCES

Forceval is a registered trademark of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Alliance, Alliance Pharmaceuticals and associated devices are registered
Trademarks.
© Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited 2015.
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