Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

My Dr prescribed a prenatal but my Rx plan isn't that great so I have to pay $45 for a month's supply. Is it worth it to pay this for the prescription prenatals or should I opt for the more affordable OTC prenatals?

Obviously i want what's best for LO but if a $20 bottle can do the same as the $45 pills, then i just don't see the point.

So what do you ladies think? Are Rx prenatals really that much better than the over the counter ones?

TIA!


ps: this is the price for the generic brand of the prenatals and the way my insurance plan is set up, all prescription prenatals would still cost the same so having the Dr prescribe a diff one wouldn't help at all.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

I have been taking OTC prenatals prior to even getting pregnant. once I got pregnant the Dr. never told me that RX ones are better than OTC. He had no problem with me taking the OTC as long as it had folic acid and DHA.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

I was taking OTC, until I got my Rx about 3 weeks ago.

Honestly, in comparing the labels there really isn't much of a difference. I'm debating whether or not to refill the Rx when the time comes.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

when i got the rx i quickly compared it to the otc. whatever it was missing or was short on i just bought it. still came out way cheaper. lots of stores have the buy one get one free

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

Thanks


So now I have a follow up question - which OTC prenatals do you take?

Thanks again!

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

i got the duane reade brand

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

I was taking just the Rite-Aid brand. It doesn't have DHA in it, so if I go back to it I will pick up Enfamil Expecta, a prenatal DHA supplement.

You might want to look for one that already has it.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

My OB prescribed one that is $80/month.

I just keep asking him for samples.... ask your OB for samples so you don't have to buy.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

Oh that stinks. What about if you do mail-order? I think you save a lot by doing it that way as well...

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

I buy the Kirkland ones from Costco. It's 90 pills for I think $40 or so. They have DHA as well.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

I take the prenatal one 1 a day's and get them at target. My ob-gyn never gave me an rx for it. she asked if i started taking any and I said I just bought the 1 a days and she said that was fine!

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

the dr gave me a mail order one. 30 for vitaminplus dha pill for 1 month

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

Message edited 3/22/2012 6:47:05 PM.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

My OB recommended the Target brand up and up ones!

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

I was taking OTC CVS brand, I think I got them on sale, buy one get one, I think it was $25 for 300 pills? I've only filled the prescription prenatals once, but it was $35!! So I may go back to OTC pills too (I may just have to buy a separate DHA supplement).

eta: I've also tried Duane Reade brand, and I definitely prefer CVS over their brand, DR's pills were slightly bigger (I'm a really bad pill taker lol)

Message edited 3/22/2012 9:59:42 PM.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

I'm on prescription prenatals and they are $89 a month!!!! Dr keeps saying he prefers me on these ever time I complain, then I feel bad and just refill the script... I'm thinking when I run out this month im going to switch to over the counter and just supplement what's missing. The cost is just insane! I could buy my crib with what I would pay in prenatals for 9 months!

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

My midwife warned me that the insurance companies were going to be changing their coverage of Rx prenatals, and told me I am completely fine taking OTC. She recommend the Target brand gummies and I have been on them ever since. She also said I could take DHA separately, but it's not necessary if the OTC includes it.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

In all 3 of my pregnancies, I never took a Rx prenatal. My OB said the OTC ones were fine. I took ones from CVS and Target.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

Posted by Takintheleap116

I'm on prescription prenatals and they are $89 a month!!!! Dr keeps saying he prefers me on these ever time I complain, then I feel bad and just refill the script... I'm thinking when I run out this month im going to switch to over the counter and just supplement what's missing. The cost is just insane! I could buy my crib with what I would pay in prenatals for 9 months!

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

My doctor suggested ordering my prenatals from an online company called TheraNatal. I get the TheraNatal Complete prenatals, which are $70 for a three month supply. It still came out cheaper than the prescription prenatals would have.

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

Went to Target last night and bought the NatureMade prenatals with DHA. $20 for a three month supply

It's even better when I think about the fact that the Rx ones would've cost $135 for three months

so yay

Re: Question about Rx Prenatals vs OTC ones

glad you got a sweet deal