TheraNatal OvaVite® Preconception Vitamins (91-day supply)

Q. How is TheraNatal OvaVite different from other prenatal supplements?

TheraNatal OvaVite is a daily preconception prenatal supplement for women in their mid-30s and beyond, or for any women with egg quality concerns.* It is designed specifically to prepare your body for pregnancy, with methylated folate, 50 mcg (2,000 IU) of vitamin D3, 100 mg of choline, 220 mcg of iodine, 250 mg of highly bioavailable CoQ10 formulated with patented VESIsorb® technology, and other fertility focused ingredients.

Q. What is VESIsorb?

VESIsorb is a patented colloidal delivery system that has been shown to improve the absorption and bioavailability CoQ₁₀ by 300-600%, compared to other oil-based CoQ₁₀ supplements. This is important because CoQ₁₀ is a large fat soluble molecule which is difficult to absorb even when taken with food.

This means that each 125 mg CoQ₁₀ softgel in TheraNatal OvaVite provides a minimum absorbed dose of 375 mg of CoQ₁₀.

Q. Is it normal for the color of the coenzyme Q10 softgels to vary from box to box?

Yes. It is normal for the color of the coenzyme Q10 softgels to vary. The natural colorant used for the softgels is riboflavin, which can vary slightly from lot to lot.

Q. Should I continue taking TheraNatal OvaVite once I find out I'm pregnant?

The nutrients in TheraNatal OvaVite are safe to take during pregnancy. The tablet in TheraNatal OvaVite supports your nutrient needs while you are trying to conceive and during early pregnancy (through your first trimester).

While it is safe to take the CoQ₁₀ softgels during pregnancy, there are no known benefits to continuing them once you find out you are pregnant.

Before beginning your second trimester, it is best to switch to a prenatal vitamin designed for pregnancy, like TheraNatal One or TheraNatal Complete.

Q. What is the difference between TheraNatal OvaVite and TheraNatal Core?

TheraNatal Core is a daily preconception tablet for any woman trying to conceive.

TheraNatal OvaVite is comprised of the TheraNatal Core tablet PLUS two coenzyme Q₁₀(CoQ₁₀) softgels. CoQ₁₀ is a nutrient that supports mitochondrial energy production for healthy egg quality.* Egg quality declines with age, women in their mid-30s and beyond may want to consider TheraNatal OvaVite.

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

Yes. There is no shellfish in TheraNatal OvaVite. If you have reacted to radiocontrast material or antiseptics which contain iodine, you may still be able to safely take TheraNatal OvaVite 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 OvaVite?

Yes. Certain other supplements can be taken along with TheraNatal OvaVite (like omega-3 fish oil or other single-nutrient fertility supplements such as DHEA, inositol, and others). However, do not take any type of multivitamin, other prenatal, or additional CoQ₁₀ while taking TheraNatal OvaVite.

Q. Does TheraNatal OvaVite 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 OvaVite can be taken along with your medications.

Medications that are changed by the liver Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP34) substrates - 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 OvaVite, which contains 50 mcg (2,000 IU) vitamin D, along with some medications may decrease the effectiveness of some medications. Before taking TheraNatal OvaVite, talk to your healthcare provider to determine if you are taking medications that are changed by the liver, for example lovastatin, clarithromycin, estrogens, and others.

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

Antibiotics: Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc (in TheraNatal OvaVite) 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

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) - This medication helps control cholesterol levels in the body. Taking it with TheraNatal OvaVite, which contains 50 mcg (2,000 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, enalapril, losartan, valsartan, diltiazem, amlodipine, quinapril, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide): CoQ10 may lower blood pressure and can increase the effects of medications used to lower blood pressure. Taking coenzyme Q10 along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Additional note with captopril, iron and magnesium (in TheraNatal OvaVite) can affect absorption of this specific antihypertensive medication. Separate by 2 hours.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)– This medication helps the heart beat more strongly. Taking magnesium (in TheraNatal OvaVite) at the same time as this medication may decrease the absorption of this medication, therefore decreasing the effectiveness. Separate by 2 hours.

Dilantin (phenytoin) – This medication is an anti-epileptic drug used to control seizures. Calcium and magnesium (in TheraNatal OvaVite) 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 OvaVite) along these medications can decrease how much bisphosphate the body absorbs. Separate by 2 hours.

Sotalol (Betapace))- This medication helps the heart beat normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders. Calcium and magnesium (in TheraNatal OvaVite) 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 OvaVite, which contains 50 mcg (2,000 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 OvaVite) can reduce absorption of these thyroid hormone medications. Separate by at least 4 hours.

Warfarin (coumadin) - CoQ10 might increase blood clotting, by helping the blood clot, coenzyme Q10 might decrease the effectiveness of coumadin. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your coumadin might need to be changed. Studies also show that low-dose vitamin K (100 mcg) is unlikely to affect INR and may actually help to stabilize INR levels. TheraNatal OvaVite contains 90 mcg of vitamin K and should be safe to take.

Chemotherapy drugs (busulfan, carboplatin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), dacarbazine, thiotepa): Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might lower the effectiveness of some medications used for cancer.


If you still have questions about TheraNatal OvaVite, 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.