TheraNatal® Lactation Complete Postnatal Supplement (91-day supply)

Q. How much vitamin D do I need while I'm breastfeeding?

Typically, the amount of vitamin D in breast milk is too low to prevent vitamin D deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends that breastfed infants receive a supplement of 10 mcg (400 IU) vitamin D drops per day. However, one study found that mothers who took 160 mcg (6,400 IU) of vitamin D3 from a dietary supplement each day provided enough vitamin D to their babies through their breast milk alone.* TheraNatal Lactation Complete contains 160 mcg (6,400 IU) of vitamin D3, which eliminates the need for infant vitamin D drops.* Do not give your baby vitamin D drops while taking TheraNatal Lactation Complete.

Q. Can I start taking TheraNatal Lactation Complete while I am pregnant?

No, it is not generally recommended. TheraNatal Lactation Complete is specifically formulated to take while breastfeeding. For example, the amount of iron is too low to meet the increased iron needs late in the third trimester, and the amount of vitamin D may be too high for some pregnant women.

Q. What is the source of DHA in TheraNatal Lactation Complete?

TheraNatal Lactation Complete contains 300 mg of DHA and 60 mg of EPA from pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 fish oil. This high-quality fish oil is molecularly distilled and highly purified. Every batch of DHA in TheraNatal Lactation Complete is tested for freedom from contaminants such as mercury, lead, and PCBs by the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Program. The DHA in TheraNatal Lactation Complete has received the highest rating of 5 stars from IFOS, which indicates exceptional quality, purity, and safety.

If you are allergic to fish, the highly purified fish oil in the softgel may not be safe for you and you should consult your allergist.

Q: Can I take TheraNatal Lactation Complete if I'm allergic to shellfish?

Yes. There is no shellfish in TheraNatal Lactation Complete. If you have reacted to radiocontrast material or antiseptics which contain iodine, you may still be able to safely take TheraNatal Lactation Complete even though it contains iodine. These reactions are commonly confused with sensitivity to iodine or shellfish, though studies have shown that they are not related.

Q. Can I take other nutritional supplements along with TheraNatal Lactation Complete?

Yes. Certain other supplements can be taken along with TheraNatal Lactation Complete (such as calcium). However, do not take any type of multivitamin, or other prenatal while taking TheraNatal Lactation Complete.

Q. Does TheraNatal Lactation Complete interact with any prescription medications?

As with any dietary supplement, it is recommended you discuss with your pharmacist and or health care team to clarify whether TheraNatal Lactation Complete can be taken along with your medications.

Do not take TheraNatal Lactation Complete is you are giving your baby infant vitamin D drops.

Medications that are changed by the liver Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP34) substrates (lovastatin, clarithromycin, estrogens and others) - CYP34 are important enzymes in your body, mainly found in the liver to break down medications in the body. Vitamin D may increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking TheraNatal Lactation Complete, which contains 160 mcg (6,400 IU) vitamin D, along with some medications may decrease the effectiveness of some medications. Before taking TheraNatal Lactation Complete, talk to your healthcare provider to determine if you are taking medications that are changed by the liver.

TheraNatal Lactation Complete may also affect the absorption of certain prescription medications as follows:

Antibiotics: Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) can bind to antibiotics in the stomach and reduce their absorption and effectiveness. Depending on the antibiotic prescribed, you may need to separate taking any multivitamins from antibiotics by at least 2 to possibly 6 hours or discontinue taking a multivitamin while taking the antibiotic. Please discuss with your pharmacist and healthcare team to determine if you should stop taking your multivitamin for a short period of time.

• • Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) – Separate by 2 hours
• • Cephalexin (Keflex) – Separate by 3 hours
• • Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, demeclocycline)- Separate by 4 hours
• • Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), Moxifloxacin (Avelox) – Separate by 6 hours

Antihypertensive drugs (captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others): Take TheraNatal Lactation Complete which contains DHA and EPA from fish oil with medications that lower blood pressure may increase the effects of these medications and may lower blood pressure even more. Take separate by at least 2 hours.

Antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid)): These medications prevent blood clots by slowing blood clotting. Taking TheraNatal Lactation Complete which contains DHA and EPA from fish oil which along with these medications may increase the risk of bleeding. However, most research shows that fish oil does not increase bleeding. Until more is known, be watchful if combining with medications that slow blood clotting.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) - This medication helps control cholesterol levels in the body. Taking it with TheraNatal Lactation Complete, which contains 160 mcg (6,400 IU) of vitamin D, may decrease the amount of atorvastatin absorbed by the body. Separate by a minimum of 2 hours.

High Blood Pressure Medications (captopril, cardizem, enalapril, losartan, valsartan, diltiazem, amlodipine, quinapril, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide): Iron, magnesium and high-dose vitamin D (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) can affect absorption and effectiveness of these antihypertensive medication. Separate by 2 hours.

Digoxin (Lanoxin) – This medication helps the heart beat more strongly. Taking high-dose vitamin D (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) at the same time as this medication increase the effectiveness of this medicaiton. Separate by 2 hours.

Dilantin (phenytoin) – This medication is an anti-epileptic drug used to control seizures. Calcium and magnesium (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) can affect absorption of this antiepileptic medication. Separate by 2 hours.

Oral Bisphosphonates (i.e., alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), risedronate (Actonel), ibandronate (Boniva), tiludronate (Skelid)) – These medications alter bone formation and breakdown in the body, slowing down bone loss and helping to prevent bone fractures. Taking magnesium, calcium and or iron (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) along these medications can decrease how much bisphosphate the body absorbs. Separate by 2 hours.

Sotalol (Betapace))- This medication helps the heartbeat normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders. Calcium and magnesium (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) can affect absorption of this antiarrhythmic medication. Separate by at least 2 hours.

Thiazide diuretics (aka: water pills) – These medications are used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure as well as the accumulation of fluid and swelling (edema) in the body. These medications also increase the amount of calcium in the body. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Taking TheraNatal Lactation Complete, which contains 160 mcg (6,400 IU) vitamin D, along with these medications may cause too much calcium in the body. Thyroid hormone (levothyroxine, Synthroid) - This medication is used to treat an underactive thyroid gland. Iron, calcium, and magnesium (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) can reduce absorption of these thyroid hormone medications. Separate by at least 4 hours.

Verapamil (Calan) - This medication helps with blood pressure and can affect the heart. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and calcium can also affects the heart. Taking high-dose vitamin D (in TheraNatal Lactation Complete) can affect the effectiveness of verapamil.

Warfarin (coumadin) - Studies show that low-dose vitamin K (100 mcg) is unlikely to affect INR and may actually help to stabilize INR levels. TheraNatal Lactation Complete contains 90 mcg of vitamin K and should be safe to take.


If you still have questions about TheraNatal Lactation Complete, please visit the general FAQ page.

Feel free to reach out to the Nutrition Department by phone at (888) 899-3899 ext. 2 or by email here.