PreNexa

PreNexa is a prescription prenatal vitamin used to fill in any nutritional gaps in the diet of pregnant and breastfeeding women. It contains a variety of different minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids, all of which are important for a healthy pregnancy. The product comes in softgel form and is taken once a day. Potential side effects include diarrhea, constipation, and nausea.

Prenexa Prenatal Vitamin Information

What Is PreNexa?

PreNexa^® is a prenatal vitamin that is available by prescription only. In addition to the usual vitamins and minerals found in most prenatal vitamins, this supplement contains a stool softener (docusate sodium) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a nutrient that is important for eye and brain development.

(Click PreNexa Uses for more information on what PreNexa is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes PreNexa?

PreNexa is made by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.

How Does PreNexa Work?

PreNexa contains a variety of different vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

These nutrients are important for a healthy pregnancy, and many pregnant women may not get enough of these nutrients, for various reasons. Probably most importantly, this prenatal vitamin contains folic acid, which is important to prevent certain birth defects, such as spina bifida. It also contains iron, calcium, and various other vitamins and minerals.

PreNexa also contains docusate sodium, a stool softener that can help relieve constipation, a common problem during pregnancy (that can be made worse by the iron and calcium in prenatal vitamins).

Like many of the newer prenatal vitamins, this product contains omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA. There is some evidence that DHA may provide a variety of different health benefits, including a decreased risk of preterm birth (having a baby prematurely), and improved vision and brain function in the baby.

Fish are the main source of DHA, and the typical American diet is usually deficient in DHA. Additionally, since many pregnant women are instructed to limit their intake of certain fish (due to risks of mercury toxicity), it is likely that many pregnant women are not getting enough DHA. The DHA in PreNexa comes from a plant-based source.

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