Can You Take Calcium and Prenatal Vitamin Together?

May affect absorption

The short answer

Prenatal vitamins typically contain calcium. Additional calcium supplementation may interfere with iron and zinc absorption from the prenatal vitamin, and may exceed recommended intake levels during pregnancy.

How to arrange timing

Check calcium content in your prenatal vitamin before adding separate calcium. Space additional calcium 2 hours from the prenatal vitamin.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: NIH ODS Calcium Fact Sheet 2024; ACOG Committee Opinion No. 495. 2011

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.