What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A can be found in foods such as milk and cheese, eggs, butter, and fortified margarine. It is also present in meat, liver, and oily saltwater fish. Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes, skin, the immune system, and normal growth.Vitamin A is fat-soluble and is stored in the fatty tissues of your body.
Vitamin A deficiency is treated with vitamin A.Vitamin A may be effective in preventing or slowing down the progression of retinal pigmentosa, an eye disease that damages the retina. Vitamin A may also be effective in preventing diarrhea among pregnant women who have been malnourished.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for vitamin A.
Side effects of Vitamin A
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat. Please seek medical assistance immediately.
Vitamin A may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Fever, sweating, unusual tiredness;
- Mood changes
- Nausea; diarrhea; loss of appetite
- Changes in your menstrual cycle;
- Feeling confused or irritable
- Double vision
- Bleeding gums, mouth pain;
- A seizure;
- Hair loss, peeling skin, cracked mouth skin or discoloration of your skin could all be symptoms of hair thinning or damage.
High doses of vitamin A can increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures in postmenopausal and older women.
High doses of vitamin A in children can cause:
- Growth problems in children;
- Severe drowsiness; loss of consciousness
- Vision problems
- Fever, chills;
- Cough, chest pains, mucus, difficulty breathing,
- Vomiting, diarrhea,
- Peeling skin.
You may experience less serious side effects or none at all.There may be other side effects. For medical advice about side effects, call your physician directly. Alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report them.
Similar/related drugs
Beta-carotene, Aquasol A
Warnings
Never exceed the recommended dosage of vitamin A. Overdosing on vitamin A may cause life-threatening or serious side effects.Use vitamin A only with medical advice when pregnant.
Before you take this drug
If you have had:
- A zinc or iron deficiency;
- Celiac diseases
- Kidney disease
- Liver problems, such as cirrhosis and jaundice.
- Anemia
- Short gut syndrome;
- An infection of your intestines
- Cystic Fibrosis
- A pancreas disorder;
- If you are malnourished;
- If your body is not able to absorb fats correctly,
Pregnant women should seek medical advice before using vitamin A on their own. Vitamin A, although necessary for the normal growth of a child, can cause birth defects when taken in high doses. Prenatal vitamins are often advised for pregnant women.If you are nursing, you may need a different dose.
How to take Vitamin A?
Follow the instructions on the label or those prescribed by your doctor.Vitamin A orally is taken by mouth.Vitamin A is injected directly into the muscle. If you cannot take the medicine orally, a healthcare provider can give you the injection and teach you how to use it properly.
Please read and follow all instructions included with your medication carefully, if there is anything unclear please seek the advice of either your physician or pharmacist for clarification. Only prepare an injection when ready to administer it.Vitamin A intake increases as you age. Follow the advice of your healthcare provider when taking medications or making lifestyle changes. For more information, you can consult the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Database (formerly known as "Recommended Daily Amounts") listings.
The dose of vitamin A for a child is determined by the child's age. If you have any questions regarding the dosage of vitamin A for a child, ask a pharmacist or doctor.Do not open, crush, chew, or break a capsule of vitamin A. Swallow it whole.Consuming fatty foods will help you absorb vitamin A.
Use no more vitamin A than recommended. Take only one vitamin at a time, unless you are told to by your doctor. Combining similar vitamin products can cause an overdose of vitamins or other serious side effects.Vitamin A is included in your total daily intake of vitamin A, which includes both vitamin A from the food you eat and vitamin A taken as a dietary supplement.Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.If you missed a vitamin A shot, call your doctor to get instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A vitamin A overdose can have serious and life-threatening effects.
Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and irritability. Other symptoms are a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, upper abdominal pain, nausea, or dark urine.
What should be avoided?
Avoid alcohol. You may be at greater risk of liver damage if you take vitamin A.Take only one vitamin at a time, unless you are told to by your doctor.Take vitamin A before taking orlistat.
Interaction with other drug
Before taking vitamin A along with other medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Orlistat (alli Xenical)
- Birth-control pills
- An antibiotic—doxycycline, minocycline, sarecycline, or tetracycline;
- Retinoids include Acitretin, Isotretinoin, Tretin-A Soriatane and other similar medications.
This list is incomplete. This list is not complete. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
