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.)
PreNexa is made by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.
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 calcium docusate, 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), improved brain function, and improved vision.
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.
Some general considerations for when and how to take this prenatal vitamin include the following:
- PreNexa comes in softgel form. It is taken once a day.
- You can take this prenatal vitamin with food or on an empty stomach. The iron may be better absorbed on an empty stomach, but most women find that taking prenatal vitamins with a little food usually helps with stomach upset.
- You can take PreNexa at any time of the day, but try to take it at the same time each day.
- Let your healthcare provider know if you have trouble keeping PreNexa down or if it causes significant nausea or other intolerable side effects. Your healthcare provider may have some useful suggestions or recommend trying a different prenatal vitamin.
- Although occasional missed doses are not of significant concern, it is important to try to take your prenatal vitamin regularly throughout pregnancy.
Dosing Information
There is only one standard recommended dose for PreNexa. As is always the case, do not adjust your PreNexa dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with PreNexa. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well.
If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the possible side effects with PreNexa (which are also common symptoms in pregnancy) include, but are not limited to:
(Click PreNexa Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With PreNexa
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking PreNexa if you have:
- A bleeding disorder
- Anemia
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
It is not known exactly what to expect from an overdose with PreNexa. It is reasonable to assume that side effects from too much of any of the active ingredients in PreNexa (particularly iron) might cause problems. If you think you or someone else may have taken too much PreNexa, seek medical attention immediately.
PreNexa should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children. This is particularly important, since PreNexa contains iron. Iron poisoning is a leading cause of poisoning deaths in children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of PreNexa?
If you forget to take your PreNexa dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of PreNexa.
If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another dose (it is difficult to tell how much of the drug was absorbed into your body). If you regularly vomit after taking a dose, talk with your healthcare provider.
Technically, there are no generic equivalents for prenatal vitamins (since tests are not performed to make sure that the vitamins act the same way in the body). However, "generic" prenatal vitamins may be available that have the similar active ingredients as PreNexa.
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