What is vitamin A?
Vitamin A is found in food from animal sources and it is also produced synthetically. Vitamin A is important for the eyes and skin, and for normal growth.
Vitamin A is used to treat vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
Before taking vitamin A, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements.
Do not take a vitamin A supplement without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Although some vitamin A is necessary for the normal development of a baby, doses in excess of the U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 5,000 USP units per day may cause birth defects.
Do not take a vitamin A supplement without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Avoid prolonged use of mineral oil while taking vitamin A.
There are no other restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while you are taking vitamin A unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a vitamin A overdose include tiredness, discomfort, lethargy, upset stomach, decreased appetite, vomiting, slow or decreased growth, joint soreness, irritability, headache, drying and cracking of the lips and skin, hair loss, and yellowing of the skin.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of vitamin A.
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Side Effects
Stop taking vitamin A and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may occur with large doses or prolonged use of vitamin A. Notify your doctor if you experience
- tiredness;
- nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
- irritability;
- headache;
- dryness or cracking of the lips or skin; or
- hair loss.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
Before taking vitamin A, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- oral birth control pills,
- cholestyramine (Questran), or
- mineral oil.
You may not be able to take vitamin A, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with vitamin A. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements.
Other Names
A-25, A/Fish Oil, Aquasol A, and vitamin A
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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