Over The Counter Prenatal Vitamins Vs Prescription

In short there doesn t have to be a difference between prescription and over the counter prenatal vitamins.

Over the counter prenatal vitamins vs prescription. Understanding the differences between over the counter and prescription prenatal vitamins can help you decide which is best for you. Prescription vs over the counter prenatal vitamins if you re trying to decide between an over the counter versus prescription prenatal vitamin keep in mind that the essential ingredients are usually the same in each though prescription prenatal vitamins often contain extra nutrients such as additional omega 3s or iron. Most otcs contain 800 micrograms 0 008 mg or less. Omega 3 fatty acids most importantly dha are not always included but are easy to augment through an additional supplement.

Manufacturers are allowed to sell everything contained in a prenatal vitamin over the counter. Over the counter prenatal vitamins usually the biggest difference between over the counter and prescription prenatal vitamins is the dose of folic acid most prescription prenatal vitamins contain 1 mg 1000 mcg of folic acid while over the counter prenatal vitamins usually contain less typically 800 mcg. Many prescription prenatal vitamins contain 1 000 micrograms 1 milligram or more while on the average. If you ve already given birth to a baby with neural tube defects your doctor will likely start you on a prescription.

2 learn more about folmax our proprietary immediate and modified release folic acid used in vitamedmd s vitapearl. No omega 3s prescription or otc since that was almost 8 years ago. Over the counter prenatal vitamin or prescription prenatal. Micronutrient content prescription prenatal vitamins often contain up to 1 000 micrograms of folic acid which is the most you should take per day but otc versions usually contain no more than 800 micrograms.

However there are several benefits to taking a prescription prenatal vitamin instead of an over the counter generic. But not all moms need the extra dose. Below are the unique benefits that products in the prenate vitamin family provide and that make them different. Talk about the dark ages second pregnancy staff at specialist due to iui and history of miscarriages steered me to otc prenatals with one vitamin and one omega 3 supplement a day.

Prescription prenatals typically contain more folic acid than the over the counter varieties says wright. Either prescription or over the counter any vitamin that claims to be a prenatal should have folate iron calcium and vitamin d.