Prenate is a prescription prenatal vitamin meant to provide nutritional support during pregnancy. It's available in different formulations, each with a unique combination of ingredients meant for different stages of pregnancy. Some formulations are even tailored for people who are trying to get pregnant (Prenate Pixie) or for those who are breastfeeding (Prenate Restore). If you have trouble swallowing, Prenate also comes as chewable tablets. Like with many prenatal vitamins, some side effects can include nausea, constipation, and bloating.
Prenatal vitamin
Prenate is a dietary supplement. It contains multiple vitamins and supplements that help support nutritional needs of mother and baby before, during, and after pregnancy.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Only need to take once a day
Available in different sized softgels
Combines multiple vitamins in one pill
Available as a chewable tablet, which might be a good option if you have trouble swallowing pills
Only available with a prescription
Some products contain soy and fish oil, not suitable for people with those allergies
Available in many different formulations, which can be confusing
Some Prenate products contain soy, fish, and other animal products. Make sure to tell your provider about all of your allergies and dietary restrictions before starting this medication.
In addition to eating healthy, a prenatal vitamin like Prenate can help supply all of the nutrition you need to support you and your baby during pregnancy. But everyone has different nutritional needs, so talk with your provider about the best supplement choice for you.
Prenate can be taken with or without food. If your product contains iron, it's best absorbed on an empty stomach. If it upsets your stomach, it's okay to take it with a small amount of food.
Tell your provider or pharmacist all the medications and supplements you're taking. They can help you check for any interactions to make sure Prenate is safe for you to take.
Prenate can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: History of bleeding problems | Taking blood-thinning medications | Taking other supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids
Some Prenate products contain DHA, which is an omega-3 fatty acid. Taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids a day can potentially increase your risk for bleeding. Your risk of bleeding is low if you're only taking Prenate as prescribed because the products typically only contain up to 400 mg of DHA. To be safe, let your provider know if you're taking blood thinners (e.g., warfarin (Coumadin)) or if you have a history of bleeding problems. Always check with your provider before taking other supplements to make sure you aren't taking too much omega-3 fatty acids a day.
Risk factors: Children age 6 years and under
Some Prenate products contain iron, which is also in many over-the-counter products. Taking too much iron can lead to serious side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tears in your gut. Tell your provider or pharmacist all the medications and supplements you're taking so they can make sure you aren't taking too much iron.
Also, keep this medication out of reach of children. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of death from poisoning in children. If you think a child accidentally took a Prenate product that contains iron, get medical help or call a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Prenate contains folic acid, which can sometimes hide a condition called pernicious anemia (a type of anemia due to low vitamin B12 levels). Avoid using this medication alone if you have low vitamin B12 levels. If you have a history of low vitamin B12 levels, let your healthcare provider know.
Risk factors: History of allergy to Yellow No. 5 | History of allergy to aspirin
In some rare cases, Prenate can cause a severe allergic reaction. Some Prenate products contain a dye called Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine). Let your provider know if you've had an allergic reaction to Yellow No. 5 in the past. If you experience a rash, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, get medical help right away.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
60mg/1000iu/10iu | 30 capsules | $192.25 | $6.41 |
The typical dose is 1 pill by mouth once a day, or as directed by your provider.
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynegologists. (2023). Nutrition during pregnancy.
Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (n.d.). Prenate Chewable®.
Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (n.d.). Prenate® product comparison.
Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (2024). Prenate Mini- ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, .alpha.-tocopherol acetate, dl-, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, biotin, calcium carbonate, ferrous asparto glycinate, iron, potassium iodide, magnesium oxide, doconexent and lowbush blueberry capsule, gelatin coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Folic acid.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Planning for pregnancy.
Johnson, M. A. (2007). If high folic acid aggravates vitamin B12 deficiency what should be done about it? Nutrition Reviews.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). Vitamin B12–Deficiency anemia.
Yuen, H. W., et al. (2023). Iron toxicity. StatPearls.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.