Comparison of Labeled Composition and Strength of Prenatal Multivitamin/Mineral (MVM) Prescription (P) and Non‐Prescription (N‐P) Supplements

Abstract

Many prenatal MVM supplements sold in the US are available by prescription only. Our objective is to determine if P prenatal MVMs differ in labeled composition and strength from N‐P products. Publically‐available databases, e.g., NHANES, Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD), DailyMed, and Monthly Prescribing Reference were used to compile composition data for P and N‐P products. The mean number ±SE of vitamins and minerals in P prenatals was 8±0.4 and 4±0.2 and in N‐P was 11±0.4 and 8±0.5, respectively. The table shows the percentage (%) of products containing 5 select nutrients of interest recommended for pregnant women, mean labeled amounts, and difference (P < 0.05) in means between P and N‐P products. The only observed difference is in levels of folic acid. # Folic Acid Iodine DHA Calcium Vit D Mean±SE (%)§ Mean±SE (%) Mean±SE (%) Mean±SE (%) Mean±SE (%) P 42 882±41¶ (98) 161±5 (50) 270±10 (60) 178±13 (33) 459±35 (88) N‐P 59 782±24 (90) 151±9 (66) 210±23 (49) 289±29 (81) 526±44 (86) This preliminary survey suggests that P and N‐P prenatal MVMs may differ in ingredient composition and strength. The degree of difference may be ingredient dependent. Analytically‐derived data on the composition of N‐P prenatal MVMs have been published in the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID‐3), and a pilot study analyzing the content of P prenatals is planned. 
 FUNDING: Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH.