OTC prenatal vitamins or prescription?

jadams0927 · August 2014

Hey ladies! I'm just curious how many women are taking OTC v.s. prescription ones. My doctor has me taking OTC Similac prenatals but woah this 10th week has been MS hell and I'm super sick. Thinking about talking to my doc about switching.

Haps92907 · August 2014

I'm taking OTC. Just CVS brand with DHA. With my last pregnancy, the OB group I was with really pushed the Rx prenatals, but they were SO expensive, even with insurance. This time I'm with a doc who says it doesn't really matter; the OTC ones have everything you need. I'm very happy with that.

I don't know that Rx prenatals are less likely to cause nausea, since they contain the same stuff. Definitely talk to your doctor, but I would maybe try switching OTC brands before going to Rx.

Philly82 · August 2014

I also take the CVS brand gummies with DHA. They've been easy on my stomach and they are so affordable. They're constantly on sale for but one get one free and I always stock up. I combine those with B6 (supposed to be good for MS so worth a try) and I've been nauseous here and there but nothing awful. Only thing it's lacking is iron and I'm about to start taking a supplement (not looking forward to the constipation consequences, but hoping to keep on top of it). Anyway, my numbers have all come back ok and baby seems healthy, so my vote is whatever is cheapest, has enough folic acid/DHA and is easiest on your tummy!

mangomimosa · August 2014

It really doesn't matter. They're essentially all the same. I take Rainbow Light... they seem to help with sickness if I take them early enough.

lisap0924 · August 2014

I also take cvs brand. My doctor said they are fine. I take them with food or milk to make sure they don't upset my belly

klax4 · August 2014

I use a store brand OTC. I take it before bed to avoid stomach upset.

heathermennell · August 2014

I use One A Day and seem to tolerate th ok, but I do take them at night.

Whitfry · August 2014

I take Rx. They're exactly the same as the OTC version, except higher doses of certain ingredients, I believe. TBH, I take them because my mom, a midwife, wrote me an rx for them and they are cheaper with my insurance than OTC.

marissalucia · August 2014

I really don't know IF or what is the difference between OTC and Rx prenatals. I am taking prescription prenatal vitamins, but I guess it's the brand my insurance covers, and according to my SIL who worked as a pharmacy tech at walgreens for about 5 years, my vitamins are basically OTC. I guess she was comparing then to the one she took that were "higher quality" or something. But I stay with my Rx because they are 100% covered by insurance so I don't have to pay a dime out of pocket. Similar to @Whitfry‌ . Even though they make me want to puke when I take them, they're saving me money. I also tried a few different OTC vitamins my other SIL had (she bought 10 different kinds because she couldn't keep them down) and for me they all taste like crap.

sunset30 · August 2014

I too take a prescription prenatal vitamin. For the first several weeks before my first appointment I was taking the Rainbow Light; but at my OB gave me a prescription. Similar to PP my insurance covered them ($10 copay for a 90 day supply) so I just switched over. I think as long as your OB is ok with what you're taking (whether OTC or prescription), you should be fine.

I too take them at night. I started taking them before I got pregnant and the Rainbow light made me queasy if I took them in the morning before I was pregnant. I switched to taking them at night and got in the habit of taking right before I go to bed, and had no problems with either vitamin.

Mary and Dave · August 2014

I take the Target brand prenatals. They are generic for the Women's One a Day prenatal and DHA. I am also prescribed Folic Acid, which can be purchased OTC, but the rx is pretty cheap as is.

KJH23 · August 2014

I take OTC ones as they are the cheapest since I just do generic. My doctor called me in a prescription and when I went to pick them up they were around $45 for a month. I thought that was too expensive, and just picked up some from cvs that were bogo free.