Cheaper Alternative to PreNexa Prenatal Vitamins?

Updated on June 02, 2010
I.P. asks from Oak Park, IL
16 answers

We are trying to get pregnant. My mid-wife prescribed PreNexa after giving me a 2 week sample which I was comfortable with.
I just got my first prescription filled and was surprised to find out the vitamins cost $50 per month.

Are there cheaper alternatives that have similar benefits to PreNexa?

Thanks.

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T.G.

answers from St. Louis on

I took my sample from the OBGYN and brought it to Walmart and compared it to every prenatal vitamin they had on the shelf. I found one comparable and 1/2 the cost.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

My OB said a regular multivitamin is just fine. I used Target brand and also took DHA prenatal supplement, but there's now a Target brand for the DHA, which is $2 cheaper than the Mead Johnson brand I used for both of my pregnancies.

More Answers

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

what the ladies have said is true...just go get another kind. i used walgreens brand and they worked fine. i think it was like 350 vitamins for about $20. good luck!

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

Compare it to this multivitamin. It's a wonderful vitamin.

Click on this link and read the label and compare to PreNexa:
http://healinghappens.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sk...

240 tablets come in a bottle. 2 are needed per day. That's 4 months supply for the same amount of money. If you need iron there is another formulation with iron.

Now I take a more comprehensive vitamin that would be more expensive. That might be more comparable. I'm not sure.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

I would definately ask the pharmacist this question. the pharmacist is the one who knows the answer ..if you live near a meijer store they give free prenatal vitamins .. certain brands.. not sure which ones.

also I never took prenatal vitamins with my first child they made me very nauseas... I took a regular centrum.

you need extra iron when you are pregnant and also folic acid.. there is really no reason that a vitamin should cost $2 per pill.

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J.S.

answers from Detroit on

I was also looking for an alternative to the expensive prescription vitamins. I tried Target brand with DHA. It came it two pills. I was lucky to be able to stomach either pill. The one with the DHA made me throw up and gag and I felt like I was burping fish all day long. I switched back to the prescription. Good luck!

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Y.D.

answers from Chicago on

A friend of mine was pregnant with no health insurance and her doc told her to use the generic ones you can buy at Target or Walmart and told her they were all the same.
When I was pregnant I asked my doc. to make sure, because I was paying $20 co-pay /a month for my vitamins. My doctor confirmed that the generic ones are as good as the prescription ones...

You can buy a bottle at Target for $7 that will last for months.

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

usually generic over the counter are the same and just fine

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Just go buy any store-brand or Costco Nature Made prenatals -most OB GYNS give you specific prescriptions because that's what the drug rep brougth to them that month. Depending on whether or not your midwife is "independent" or works through a OBs office or hospital may be the difference. My OB and her nurse practicioner told me that after I told them I was surprised the prenatals were$50 a month! Look at the label to make sure you're not getting a bunch of fillers, and basically any one will do. IF you have an iron deficiency or something, they'll usually put you on something different.

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T.M.

answers from Austin on

I take the generic for PreNexa and it is called Folcal DHA, the only difference really I see is that it does not have the stool softener called Colace (but you could always buy the Colace separate it is OTC if you need it). Good luck with trying to conceive :)

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M.G.

answers from Amarillo on

I love taking vitamins! (I never recommend trying the multivitamins for women from GNC. The worst ones EVER!) I found out though recently that not all have the same absorption, your body only absorbs 10% or 20% of the "100%" the bottle labels and the rest that isn't absorbed become free radicals which is bad for your body. I was introduced to vitamins that get an 85% absorption and the difference is amazing! They're only $20 and have a guarantee for 90 days. They're not giant horse pills either, which is a bonus! :)

M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

I don't know if there is a reason that she put you on a specific vitamin, but I know plenty of OB-GYNs that say that 2 Flintstone vitamins are just as effective as a prenatal, and are a whole lot cheaper. Good luck!

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W.T.

answers from San Diego on

My midwife recommended Rainbow Light Prenatals (now at Target I think). Those plus a fish oil (or other DHA supplement) will be well under $50 a month.

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C.D.

answers from Chicago on

I would be very careful with over the counter vitamins. They are not regulated at all for absorption. I take a multivitamin daily that meets USP (United States Pharmacopeia) guidelines for potency, uniformity, and disintegration. That is the same group that regulates those things for prescriptions. The vitamins are not cheap($42.50 per month), but at least I know I am getting what the bottle says I am getting. To me, it is worth it to pay for that assurance.
Let me know if you want more information.

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I have used the multi Patty W recommends for 15 years. The ones from the store are synthetic and absolutely a waste of money, even worse they may be harmful.
Victoria

Updated

I have used the multi Patty W recommends for 15 years. The ones from the store are synthetic and absolutely a waste of money, even worse they may be harmful.
Victoria

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A.M.

answers from Lakeland on

I was so sick during my first pregnancy that I couldn't swallow the pregnatal vitamins bc they were so big and left an aftertaste. My dr. told me to take two Flintstone vitamins. It was soooo much better and I delivered a very healthy son. This pregnancy I had the morning sickness issues and started out on the Flintstones. I was so sick I couldn't even handle those, so now I take two generic adult "gummy" vitamins all on dr.'s recommendations. Good luck!

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