Q: I am 35 years old and seven months pregnant. I have been prescribed Folinext-D (1 daily) and Lycobal Forte (1 daily). I realize that both these gels contain methylcyanocobalamine and I am wondering if I should be consuming them.

A:The minimum, most essential medicines should be taken during pregnancy so that baby is not harmed. You have not stated if you have been taking folic acid 5 mg (sold under brand names such as Folet or Folvite). If not, you should immediately start one tablet daily. The effect of Lycobal has not been tested during pregnancy. Besides this brand does not appear on the national and international data bank of quality products. Folinex -D contains many medicines which are not indicated during pregnancy. Methylcobalamin has no role during pregnancy. General statement on selection of brands: There are scores, sometimes hundreds, of brands of the same medicine. Against about 300 pharmaceutical manufacturers in western countries like Britain, there are over 20,000 producers in India that market more than 40,000 brands. Most manufacturers do not have quality testing laboratories. Hence selection of brands is important. Many companies give incentives to prescribers to patronise their products. Patients should check the reputation of manufacturers before consuming medicines.