Guidelines for ATC classification and DDD assignment - WHOCC

A11 VITAMINS
Vitamins constitute a comprehensive group of therapeutic and
prophylactic preparations. Before classifying any product it is important
to be familiar with the main subdivision of the group.
It may be necessary to consider whether a product is a vitamin
preparation with iron or an iron preparation with vitamins, a mineral
preparation with vitamins or a vitamin preparation with minerals, or if
the product should be regarded as a tonic etc. As an aid to such
considerations, guidelines are given at each sublevel.
Vitamin B12 is classified in B03 - Antianemic preparations.
Vitamin K is classified in B02 - Antihemorrhagics.
Vitamins administered as i.v. solution additives, see B05XC.
Some definitions:
Multivitamins: Products containing minimum vitamins A, B, C and D.
One B-vitamin is sufficient.
B-complex: Products containing minimum thiamine, riboflavine,
pyridoxine, nicotinamide. The products may contain
other B-vitamins.
A11A MULTIVITAMINS, COMBINATIONS
The DDDs are based on prophylaxis. For simplicity, the DDDs for
oral formulations are given as fixed doses (1 tablet = 1 UD; 30 ml
mixture = 6 UD).
A11AA Multivitamins with minerals
The group is subdivided:
A11AA01 - multivitamins and iron
A11AA02 - multivitamins and calcium
A11AA03 - multivitamins and other minerals, incl. combinations
A11AA04 - multivitamins and trace elements
In A11AA01, 02 and 03, combinations with trace elements are allowed.
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