Vitamin A

Generic name: Vitamin A (oral/injection)
Drug class: Vitamins

Usage of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is found in foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, butter, fortified margarine, meat, liver, oily saltwater fish, grains, oils, carrots, squash, dark green and yellow vegetables, and fruits such as cantaloupe or apricots. Vitamin A is important for the eyes and skin, the immune system, and for normal growth.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is absorbed with fats in your diet and stored in your body's fatty tissue.

Vitamin A is used to treat vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A is possibly effective in preventing cataracts, or slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa (an eye disease that causes damage to the retina). Vitamin A is also possibly effective in preventing diarrhea in pregnant women who are malnourished.

Vitamin A may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Vitamin A side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Vitamin A may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

fever, sweating, unusual tiredness;

mood changes;

vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

changes in your menstrual periods;

confusion or feeling irritable;

double vision;

bleeding gums, mouth pain;

a seizure; or

hair loss, peeling skin, cracked skin around your mouth, or skin discoloration.

Taking high doses of vitamin A may increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture, especially in older adults and postmenopausal women.

In children, high doses of vitamin A may cause:

growth problems in a child;

severe drowsiness, loss of consciousness;

vision problems;

fever, chills;

cough with mucus, chest pain, trouble breathing;

vomiting, diarrhea; or

peeling skin.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Vitamin A

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if vitamin A is safe to use if you have ever had:

a zinc or iron deficiency;

celiac disease;

kidney disease;

liver problems such as cirrhosis or jaundice (yellow of the skin or eyes);

anemia (low red blood cells);

short gut syndrome;

an infection in your intestines;

cystic fibrosis;

a pancreas disorder;

if you are malnourished; or

if your body does not absorb fats properly.

Do not use vitamin A without medical advice if you are pregnant. Although some vitamin A is needed for the normal development of a baby, vitamin A can cause birth defects if used in large doses. You may need to use a prenatal vitamin specially formulated for pregnant women.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different while you are nursing.

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How to use Vitamin A

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Vitamin A oral is taken by mouth.

Vitamin A injection is injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth, and can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it.

The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin A increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. You may also consult the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Database (formerly "Recommended Daily Allowances") listings for more information.

A child's dose of vitamin A is based on the age of the child. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about giving vitamin A to a child.

Swallow a vitamin A capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Eating fatty foods can help your body absorb vitamin A.

Never use more than the recommended dose of vitamin A. Avoid taking more than one vitamin product at the same time unless your doctor tells you to. Taking similar vitamin products together can result in a vitamin overdose or serious side effects.

The total daily amount of vitamin A you receive includes vitamin A in the foods you eat combined with taking vitamin A as a supplement.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

Never use more than the recommended dose of vitamin A. An overdose of vitamin A can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

Do not use vitamin A without medical advice if you are pregnant. Vitamin A can cause birth defects if used in large doses.

What other drugs will affect Vitamin A

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using vitamin A with any other medications, especially:

orlistat (alli, Xenical);

birth control pills;

an antibiotic--doxycycline, minocycline, sarecycline, or tetracycline; or

a retinoid--acitretin, isotretinoin, tretinoin, Retin-A, Soriatane, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect vitamin A, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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