Can I cut my pre-natal vitamins in half?

Question

I have been taking prenatal vitamins, and I'm not good with pills. They are not huge pills, and I know it's a head thing but some days I just can't get them down without a struggle... Can I cut the pill in half and have it still be effective?

Answer 1

You sure can.  Personally I think it made it worse because the edges were no longer smooth...plus it meant I had to take the pill in two shots!

What did help me was taking the pill with food rather than with water.  I swallow the pill along with a mouthful of chewed food...you can't even feel the pill go down that way.

Edit:  Don't feel embarrassed to ask your doctor about this.  Plenty of people have a hard time swallowing pills in general, and these huge prenatals are no exception!  Some doctors will have you try chewable vitamins.  Its not anything to feel bad about :)

Answer 2

Yes, the Flintstones vitamins are suggested by doctors if you have trouble with large 'horse-pills' (like I do). My alternative is to get a small normal multi-vitamin that contains 400mcg of Folic Acid (most do, such as something from CVS for about $8) for the mornings, and then take an additional Folic Acid (which are small) in the evening. That way I get the 800mcg of Folic Acid each day, spread over two doses. As it's a water-soluble vitamin, it's already a good idea to divide Folic Acid into 2 doses. Cheaper that way too - those prenatals are waaaay overpriced :)

Answer 3

of crouse you can, just make sure you take both halves.

Answer 4

That is a very very good question, I have heard that some of these pills get super big!

Answer 5

It depends:

if you have a jelly capsule pill (ie a plastic-like case around liquid vitamin) then you cannot cut it, as the liquid would spill etc.

if you have a hard solid pill, then yes you can cut it in half and take the two halves seperately, just try not to loose too may crumbs when you cut it. Cutting a solid pill in half will not change it's content at all.

Good luck! my pill is huge and it took me a while to learn to swallow it, but now I can. Here is how I do it:

I open my throat wide by taking a huge breath-- then I keep it at that opening. Then I pour water down my throat to make it wet, still breathing big to keep my throat open all the way. Then I tilt my head back and put the pill on my tongue and drink more water. I swallow wide.

Answer 6

I never took the pre-natal's with either of my children and they both were just fine, average weight/length...as long as you are eating healthy and staying healthy, it shuldn't matter much, although you may want to watch your iron levels w/out taking them, it can get low at times, but if your eating healthy it will be just fine.

Answer 7

If it's a pill and not a capsule, and you take both halves, yes you can. If your having problems, ask the OB about changing brands, or, if all else fails, you can take flintstone vitamins, they have what the fetus needs and are easier to eat. I had the same problems with mine, and it was an AM horse pill and a PM horse pill, lol. Good luck!  

Answer 8

They have prenatal vitamins that are chewable but real nasty lol. I have the same prob with pills good luck! oh and I cut mine in half!

Answer 9

I think you would be able to cut them in half. Just make sure you take both. I to have had problems taking those horse pills. LOL

Answer 10

Cut them in half but take both half one after the other one

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 11

If you have that much trouble I would switch to Flintstones children vitamins.  Take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.  My OBGYN said this is just as good.  You are really just looking for the folic acid and a healthy amount of extra vitamins in your body anyways.  The also don't cause stomach upset and nausea like the prenatals.