I've been taking prenatal vitamins that were prescribed by my doctor, but they cost $35 for a month's supply. My insurance company refuses to tell me which brand is the cheapest, so my doctor suggested an over the counter prenatal vitamin. I saw a bunch on the shelf, but I wasn't sure which one would be a good option. Has anyone ever taken one? If so, which one?
Thanks for all of the advice! I went to Walmart and purchased an over the counter prenatal vitamin for $5 (100 pills). I had tried to talk to the pharmicist in the past and they were pretty rude, so your advice did help! A side by side comparison was my best bet. Thanks!
Hi Becky
I used CVS brand prenatal vitamins, they cost about $9 for I think 100 pills. I would use my CVS extra bucks to buy them whenever I got the coupons and depending on the amount of my coupons would often pay much less.
Hope that helps!
I would take your prescription bottle to the store and do a side by side comparison of the ingredients.
My friends swears by these vitamins because the ones her doctor prescribed were making her sick: Vitality Prenatal Multivitamin ($16.44 30-day supply) and Prenatal Omega-3 ($19.99 30-day supply). A prenatal pack is also available which includes both the multivitamin, the Omega-3, and Vitality Mineral Complex with Calcium (30-day supply for all 3 is $36.62). You can only purchase these vitamins from an online company. Go to www.get-your-green-on (Live Total Wellness)for more info. Or email me - ____@____.com
I asked my OB the exact same thing when I was pregnant. His answer was that the difference between OTC and prescription was the price. So I asked him which one was best to take - he said the ones I bought were the best ones to take. :-)
Honestly, I'm still on prenatals (I'm nursing), and I purchase the CVS brand when they're on sale. 300 vitamins cost me $20. That's what my monthly deductible was for prescription prenatals, IF my health insurance company paid for it, which they don't!
Another thought: if you like the prenatal vitamins you're taking, ask your doctor if he can prescribe them differently. My doctor prescribes my prenatals in 3-month supplies so that I only pay one copay of $20 for the 3-months worth. This would still not be as cheap as the otc ones, but it would cut your costs by 2/3...
I've had lots of help getting questions answered about OTC products by the pharmacist. They understand the ingredients, and can recommend the best product for you. It's also their job to help you make the right medical product decisions in their store, even OTC.
But, do you live near a Walmart? I keep seeing their ads about $4 copays on prescriptions. Maybe you can get your current 30 day scrips filled for that amazing price... You might be able to call the closest Walmart pharmacy with that question, before making the trip.
Good luck.
Flintstones chewables. i took them through out with both pregnancys and all (3)of mine turned out perfect. yep i said 3 i have 3 little girls a 3 1/2 year old and 9 month old twins.
I take the generic CVS which are similar to Centrum. My OB told me to make sure the multivitamins have 400mcg of Folic Acid.
When I was pregnant with my first child I took Flintstones with Iron...two of them a day. They tasted much better than the chewable prenatal vitamins and were a lot cheaper.
I just had a baby in April and my Doctor suggested taking Flinstone's chewables. One in the morning and one at night. It worked for me. With my previous child I took prescibed vitamins. I felt just as healthy the second time around.
Hi Becky,
That $35 stings every month and just becomes way too costly if you decide to breastfeed. I was taking Staurt's DHADuet, both are yellow pills. The smaller pill is a liquid gel. I just started reading the labels at the stores and found an OTC brand for the same price, but it is a 60 day supply. So I figured $17.50/month is better...It is by Life Fitness, called Life's DHA Prenatal mulitvitamin. They come in 2 bottles, Step 1 & 2. I found this at CVS, but maybe Wal-Mart has it slightly less if there is one closer to you. Hope this helps!
Melaleuca makes a great prenatal vitamin the sit very well others in the past have made me sick they cost about $20.00 a month maybe even a little less. We just found out that we are expecting and I purchased the prenatal pack as well as the fiberwise to help combat constipation.(what fun) Anyway the company goes by refferal and if you are interested in becoming a member I can help you sign up. They also have a great compensation plan if you are interested in working from home. (I am the friend in Lynda P's response who swears by them)
