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Expert Q&A
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| By Alesia Hanson, RPh Registered Pharmacist | ||
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What are the benefits of prescribed prenatal vitamins as opposed to over-the-counter?
The main difference in the prescription prenatal vitamins and the over-the-counter prenatal vitamins is the amount of folic acid they contain. Folic acid is a B vitamin that when taken before conception and in early pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Prescription prenatal vitamins contain 1 milligram of folic acid, while those available over the counter contain up to 0.8 milligrams. The other ingredients vary in amounts depending on the brand. The benefit to you is that you may get a little bit more of this important vitamin.
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