Upsher-Smith Introduces Nexa® Plus Advanced Formula Prescription Prenatal Vitamin

Contains More Plant-Based DHA Than Any Other Once-Daily Single-Capsule Rx Prenatal Vitamin - Also With Biotin

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Sep 11, 2012, 09:00 ET

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. [http://www.upsher-smith.com] today introduced its newest addition to the Nexa® prenatal vitamin family -- Nexa^® Plus Capsules. The once-daily, prescription prenatal vitamin is formulated with 350 mg of plant-based life'sDHA™, 1.25 mg folic acid, biotin - an important B-vitamin, essential vitamins and minerals, and a gentle stool softener.¹

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"Before and during pregnancy, the nutritional requirements of a woman, especially her folate intake, are critically important," said Gregory Gilmet, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director, Medical Affairs, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. "The advanced formulation of Nexa^® Plus provides expectant mothers with important nutritional vitamins and minerals to help support a healthy pregnancy."

Biotin is one of the nutrients that can benefit moms-to-be and their developing babies.² The advanced formulation of Nexa^® Plus includes 250 mcg of biotin, an essential component of enzymes that metabolize carbohydrates and fats.^1,3

In addition to biotin, Nexa^® Plus offers more plant-based DHA from algal oil than any other single gel capsule Rx prenatal vitamin taken once daily.^4-8 DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is a key omega-3 fatty acid that is associated with a host of health benefits for mothers and babies. It helps with baby's prenatal and postnatal brain and eye development. Some studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA, may offer added benefits, including supporting a healthy duration of gestation and birth weight of baby; however, more research is still needed.^9,10,11

Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant can feel confident with the plant-based DHA in Nexa^® Plus. The trusted, fish-free source of DHA found in Nexa^® Plus, life'sDHA™, eliminates the potential worry of exposure to oceanborne toxins, such as mercury or polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds. This vegetarian source of DHA found in many foods, supplements and infant formulas worldwide, also helps women avoid the fishy aftertaste or burp that may be associated with fish-based DHA.^12,13

Nexa^® Plus also provides vitamins C, D3, E, B6, folic acid, calcium, iron and docusate calcium, a gentle stool softener for added comfort. For additional information about Nexa^®Plus, visit http://www.nexaprenatal.com.

About the Nexa^® Family of Products

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. is committed to providing nutritional support to mothers before, during and after pregnancy. Designed to help support a healthy pregnancy, the Nexa^® family of products includes Nexa^®Plus Capsules (Rx prenatal vitamin with 350 mg plant-based DHA from algal oil), more than any other single gel capsule prescription prenatal vitamin taken once a day,^4-8 Nexa^® Select Capsules (Rx prenatal vitamin with plant-based DHA from algal oil), and PreNexa^®Capsules (Rx prenatal vitamin with plant-based DHA from algal oil), all of which offer essential nutrition for mom and developing baby, including 1.25 mg folic acid. Additionally, B-Nexa^® Tablets (Rx prenatal vitamin formulated with B-vitamins and ginger) are designed to help calm nausea and vomiting of pregnancy while providing important folic acid supplementation. To learn more about the Nexa^® family of products or to obtain complete prescribing information, visit http://www.nexavitamins.com.

Product Information

The NDC number for Nexa^® Plus is 0245-0374-30.

For additional information about Nexa^®Plus, visit http://www.nexaprenatal.com.

Please see full Prescribing Information for a complete list of warnings and precautions.

http://www.nexaprenatal.com/full-prescribing-information/

Important Safety Information about Nexa^® Plus, Nexa^® Select and PreNexa^®

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under six. KEEP THIS PRODUCT OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

Important Safety Information about B-Nexa^®

You should not take more than 1 mg per day of folic acid unless you are under the care of a healthcare professional, as it may mask the symptoms of a potentially more serious condition.

Taking ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or while you are also taking a blood thinner or other medication that affects the blood may increase the risk of bleeding.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for a complete list of warnings and precautions for Nexa^® family products at www.nexavitamins.com.

About Upsher-Smith Women's Health

Upsher-Smith Women's Health is committed to providing options, specifically designed to meet the ever-changing needs of women throughout their lives, for prenatal nutritional support, bone health support, and symptom relief during menopause. For additional information, visit http://www.upsher-smith.com/products/womens-health.

About Upsher-Smith

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, U.S.-based company devoted to improving health and advancing wellness since 1919. Upsher-Smith demonstrates its commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of its customers by developing, producing and marketing consumer and prescription products. In addition to its strong heritage in generics, Upsher-Smith's branded businesses focus on women's health, dermatology and CNS therapeutic areas. For additional information, visit http://www.upsher-smith.com.

References

1.	Nexa Plus [package insert]. Minneapolis, MN: Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc; 2012.
2.	Micronutrient Information Center – Biotin. Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/biotin/index.html. Accessed June 21, 2012.
3.	Biotin. Medline Plus Web site. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/313.html. Accessed June 21, 2012
4.	CitraNatal Harmony [package insert]. San Antonio, TX: Mission Pharmacal Company; 2010.
5.	Prefera OB ONE [package insert]. Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2012.
6.	Prenate Essential [package insert]. Avion Pharmaceuticals; 2012.
7.	Vitafol Plus [package insert]. West Orange, NJ: Everett Laboratories, Inc; 2012.
8.	VitaMedMD One Rx product information Web site. http://www.vitamedmdrx.com/SupplementalFactsOneRx.aspx Accessed August 6, 2012.
9.	Smuts CM, Huang M, Mundy D, Plasse T, Major S, Carlson SE. A randomized trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;101(3):469-479.
10.	Koletzko B, Lien E, Agostoni C, et al. The roles of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in pregnancy, lactation and infancy: review of current knowledge and consensus recommendations. J Perinat Med. 2008;36:5-14.
11.	Koletzko B, Larque E, Demmelmair H. Placental transfer of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). J Perinat Med. 2007;35 (suppl 1):S5-S11.
12.	Harris WS. Fish oil supplementation: evidence for health benefits. Cleve Clin J Med. 2004;71:208-221.
13.	life'sDHA Web site. http://www.lifesdha.com/. Accessed July 25, 2012.