Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
capsule
- 7,500 U
- 8000 U
- 10,000 U
- 25,000 U
injectable solution
- 50,000 U/mL
tablet
- 10,000 U
- 15,000 U
RDA
Described as retinol activity equivalent (RAE)
1 RAE = Retinol 1 mcg
Males: 900 mcg/day (3000 U/day)
Females
- 700 mcg/day (2330 U/day)
- >18 years pregnant: 750-770 mcg/day (2500-2600 U/day)
- >18 years breastfeeding: 1300 mcg RAE (4330 U)
Upper Intake Levels
>18 years: 3000 mcg/day RAE (10,000 U)
Pregnancy: 3000 mcg/day RAE (10,000 U)
Lactation: 3000 mcg/day RAE (10,000 U)
Vitamin A Deficiency
Malabsorption or oral administration not feasible: 100,000 U/day IM for 3 days; then 50,000 U/day for 2 weeks; follow with oral therapy.
Oral therapy: Take oral therapeutic multivitamin containing 10,000-20,000 U/day vitamin A for 2 months
Deficiency prophylaxis: 10,000-50,000 U PO qDay
Xerophthalmia (Off-label)
Recommended dose except for females of reproductive age: 200,000 units PO qDay for 2 days; repeat dose again after 2 weeks
Females of reproductive age with night blindness or Bitot's spots: 5000-10,000 units/day; 10,000 units/day maximum or ≤25,000 units once weekly for ≥4 weeks
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (Orphan)
Orphan designation of vitamin A palmitate for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Sponsors
- Fox Pharma, Inc; 6097 Hidden Valley Drive; Doylestown, PA 18902
- Advent Therapeutics, Inc; 6500 Old Carversville Road; Lumberville, PA 18933-9729
Dosage Forms & Strengths
capsule
- 7,500 U
- 8,000 U
- 10,000 U
- 25,000 U
injectable solution
- 50,000 U/mL
tablet
- 10,000 U
- 15,000 U
RDA
0-6 months: 400 mcg/day RAE (1333 U/day)
6-12 months: 500 mcg/day RAE (1666 U/day)
1-3 years: 300 mcg/day RAE (1000 U/day)
3-8 years: 400 mcg/day RAE (1333 U/day)
8-13 years: 600 mcg/day RAE (2000 U/day)
13-18 years: 900 mcg/day RAE (3000 U/day)
Upper Intake Levels
0-3 years: 600/day mcg RAE (2000 U/day)
3-8 years: 900/day mcg RAE (3000 U/day)
8-13 years: 1700 mcg/day RAE (5667 U/day)
13-18 years: 2800 mcg/day RAE (9333 U/day)
13-18 years pregnant: 2800 mcg/day RAE (9333 U/day)
13-18 years breastfeeding: 2800 mcg/day RAE (9333 U/day)
Deficiency
Use IM route when oral administraiton is not possible or in malabsorption syndrome
Infants: 7500-15000 units/day for 10 days
1-8 years: 17,500-35,000 units/day for 10 days
>8 years
- Malabsorption or oral administration not feasible: 100,000 U/day IM for 3 days; then 50,000 U/day for 2 weeks; follow with oral therapy.
- Oral therapy: Take oral therapeutic multivitamin containing 10,000-20,000 U/day vitamin A for 2 months
- Deficiency prophylaxis: 10,000-50,000 U PO qDay
Xerophthalmia
<6 months: 50,000 units qDay for 2 days; repeat once with single dose after 2 weeks
6-12 months: 100,000 units qDay for 2 days; repeat with single dose after 2 weeks
>1 year except females of reproductive age: 200,000 units qDay for 2 days; repeat with single dose after 2 weeks
Females of reproductive age with night blindness or Bitot's spots: 5000-10,000 units/day; 10,000 units/day maximum or ≤25,000 units once weekly for ≥4 weeks
Retinopathy of Prematurity (Orphan)
Retinol palmitate
Orphan designation for prevention of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
Sponsor
- Orphanix GmbH; 41 Peter-Rosegger-Strabe; Ried im Innkreis; Austria
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (2)
- pexidartinib
vitamin A and pexidartinib both increase Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Pexidartinib can cause hepatotoxicity. Avoid coadministration of pexidartinib with other products know to cause hepatoxicity.
- pretomanid
vitamin A, pretomanid. Either increases toxicity of the other by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Comment: Pretomanid regimen associated with hepatotoxicity. Avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic agents, including herbal supplements and drugs other than bedaquiline and linezolid.
Monitor Closely (7)
- beta carotene
vitamin A, beta carotene. Either increases levels of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Administration of beta-carotene with vitamin A usually is not necessary and should be avoided to prevent the development of hypervitaminosis A.
- bexarotene
bexarotene increases toxicity of vitamin A by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. (Vitamin A) Additive retinoid effects. Avoid consuming vitamin-A containing supplements in amounts exceeding FDA recommended daily allowance.
- dichlorphenamide
dichlorphenamide, vitamin A. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Both drugs can cause metabolic acidosis.
- etretinate
etretinate increases toxicity of vitamin A by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. (Vitamin A) Additive retinoid effects.
- isotretinoin
isotretinoin increases toxicity of vitamin A by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. (Vitamin A) Additive retinoid effects.
- mipomersen
mipomersen, vitamin A. Either increases toxicity of the other by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Both drugs have potential to increase hepatic enzymes; monitor LFTs.
- warfarin
vitamin A increases effects of warfarin by unspecified interaction mechanism. Use Caution/Monitor.
Minor (45)
- acitretin
acitretin increases toxicity of vitamin A by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Vitamin A) Additive retinoid effects.
- busulfan
vitamin A, busulfan. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- capecitabine
vitamin A, capecitabine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- carboplatin
vitamin A, carboplatin. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- carmustine
vitamin A, carmustine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- chitosan
chitosan decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- chlorambucil
vitamin A, chlorambucil. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- cholestyramine
cholestyramine decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Vitamin A).
- cisplatin
vitamin A, cisplatin. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- cladribine
vitamin A, cladribine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- colestipol
colestipol decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Vitamin A).
- cytarabine
vitamin A, cytarabine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- dacarbazine
vitamin A, dacarbazine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- decitabine
vitamin A, decitabine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- docetaxel
vitamin A, docetaxel. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- floxuridine
vitamin A, floxuridine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- fludarabine
vitamin A, fludarabine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- fluorouracil
vitamin A, fluorouracil. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- gemcitabine
vitamin A, gemcitabine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- ifosfamide
vitamin A, ifosfamide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- irinotecan
vitamin A, irinotecan. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- irinotecan liposomal
vitamin A, irinotecan liposomal. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- lomustine
vitamin A, lomustine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- mechlorethamine
vitamin A, mechlorethamine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- melphalan
vitamin A, melphalan. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- mercaptopurine
vitamin A, mercaptopurine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- mineral oil
mineral oil decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- minocycline
minocycline, vitamin A. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Risk of benign intracranial hypertension.
- nelarabine
vitamin A, nelarabine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- neomycin PO
neomycin PO decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Vitamin A).
- orlistat
orlistat decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. Separate by 2 hours.
- oxaliplatin
vitamin A, oxaliplatin. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- paclitaxel
vitamin A, paclitaxel. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- paclitaxel protein bound
vitamin A, paclitaxel protein bound. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- pentostatin
vitamin A, pentostatin. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- pralatrexate
vitamin A, pralatrexate. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- streptozocin
vitamin A, streptozocin. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- thioguanine
vitamin A, thioguanine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- thiotepa
vitamin A, thiotepa. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- topotecan
vitamin A, topotecan. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- treosulfan
vitamin A, treosulfan. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- vinblastine
vitamin A, vinblastine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- vincristine
vitamin A, vincristine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- vincristine liposomal
vitamin A, vincristine liposomal. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
- vinorelbine
vitamin A, vinorelbine. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Antioxidants such as vitamin A enhance the efficacy, and reduce toxicity, of antineoplastic drugs.
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Anaphylaxsis & death after IV use
Facial dermatitis
Stratum corneum fragility
Conjunctivities
Sticky skin
Granuloma-like lesions in acne
Dry mucus
Paranochia
Corneal opacities
Palmoplanar peeling
Cheilitis
Alopecia
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
IV use
Hypervitaminosis A
Malabasorption syndrome (oral therapy)
Pregnancy (dose >RDA)
Cautions
Use caution if dose >25,000 units/day (monitor closely)
Evaluate additional vitamin deficiencies if diagnosis of vitamin deficiency occurs (single vitamin A deficiency rare)
Caution in renal impairment (toxicity reported)
Monitor prolonged administration over 25,000 units/day; take into account vitamin intake from other dietary and supplement sources
Efficacy of large systemic doses of 100,000 to 300,000 units/day vitamin A for the treatment of acne not established
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: A (oral); C (doses exceeding RDA); X (>6,000 units/day administered parenterally)
Lactation: Distributed into milk; safe at RDA levels
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Nutrition
Sources: Liver, butter, eggs, green leafy vegetables, colorful fruits & vegetables (carrots, mango, pumpkin, sweet potatoes)
Functions: Growth & development, maintenance of epithelial tissue
Deficiency: Night blindness, dry eyes, susceptibility to infections, follicular hyperkeratosis
Toxicity: hypervitaminosis A
Acute: Nausea, fatigue, dizziness, dry skin, cerebral edema, increased ICP, skin loss, liver failure
Chronic: Osteoporosis, hair loss, high cholesterol, coma, swelling of the optic eye, rash, mouth sores, liver failure
Teratogenicity: fetal toxicity, birth defects (>10,000 units/day)
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Vitamin A supplementation plays a role in embryonic development, visual adaptation to darkness, immune function, and maintenance of epithelial cells
Pharmacokinetics
Serum concentration: 300-700 ng/mL (adults); 200-500 ng/mL (infants)
Peak plasma time: 4-5 hr (oil solution); 304 hr (water-miscible)
Protein Bound: Retinol binding protein
Distribution: Mainly stored in liver as retinyl palmitate
Metabolism: hepatic glucuronidation, decarboxylation
Metabolites: retinoic acid, retinal
Excretion: Urine and feces (via bile)
Images
| BRAND | FORM. | UNIT PRICE | PILL IMAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| vitamin A oral - | 10,000 unit capsule |  |
Copyright © 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
Patient Handout
vitamin A topical
NO MONOGRAPH AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
USES: Consult your pharmacist.
HOW TO USE: Consult your pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Consult your pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: No monograph available at this time.
MISSED DOSE: Consult your pharmacist.
STORAGE: Consult your pharmacist.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2022 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
