Vitamin A (Retinol)

Indications

Vitamin A (Retinol) is used for: Vitamin A deficiency, Night blindness, Xerophthalmia

Adult Dose

Oral Vitamin A deficiency Adult: For severe deficiency with corneal changes: 500,000 units daily for 3 days, followed by 50,000 units daily for 2 wk and then 10,000-20,000 units daily for 2 mth as follow-up therapy. For cases with corneal changes: 10,000-25,000 units daily until clinical improvement occurs (usually 1-2 wk).

Child Dose

Oral Vitamin A deficiency Child: In children with xerophthalmia: 5000 units/kg daily for 5 days or until recovery occurs.

Renal Dose

Administration

Should be taken with food.

Contra Indications

Hypervitaminosis A; pregnancy (dose exceeding RDA).

Precautions

Cholestatic jaundice; fat-malabsorption conditions. Monitor patients closely for toxicity. Liver impairment and children.

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

Interactions

Decreased absorption with neomycin. Increased risk of hypervitaminosis A with synthetic retinoids eg, acitretin, isotretinoin and tretinoin. Increased risk of toxicity when used with alcohol.

Side Effects

Side effects of Vitamin A (Retinol) : Hypervitaminosis A characterised by fatigue, irritability, anorexia, weight loss, vomiting and other GI disturbances, low-grade fever, hepatosplenomegaly, skin changes, alopoecia, dry hair, cracking and bleeding lips, SC swelling, nocturia, pains in bones and joints.

Mode of Action

Vitamin A plays an essential role in the function of retina and is essential for growh and differentiation of epithelial tissue.