VITAMIN A

Brand & Generic Names

Acon
Afaxin
Alphalin
Aquasol A
Dispatabs
Sust-A
Numerous multiple vitamin-min	eral supplements. Check labels.

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Vitamin supplement

Uses

• Dietary supplement to ensure normal growth and health, especially eyes and skin.
• Beta carotene form decreases severity of sun exposure in patients with porphyria.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Drops or capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.
Oral solution--Swallow with liquid.
Tablets--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember, then resume regular schedule.

What drug does:
Prevents night blindness.
Promotes normal growth and health.

Time lapse before drug works:
Requires continual intake.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Increased adverse reactions and side effects. Jaundice (rare, but may occur with large doses), malaise, vomiting, irritability, bleeding gums, seizures, double vision, peeling skin.

WHAT TO DO:

If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

Confusion; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; irritability; dry, cracked lips; peeling skin; hair loss; sensitvity to light.

Rare:

• Bulging soft spot on baby's head, double vision, bone or joint pain, abdominal pain, frequent urination.
• Diarrhea, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You have chronic kidney failure.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have any kidney disorder.

Over age 60:
No problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Don't exceed recommended dose. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:

• Avoid large doses.
• Keep vitamin-mineral supplements out of children's reach.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to light.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Don't exceed dose. Too much over a long time may be harmful.
• A balanced diet should provide all the vitamin A a healthy person needs and prevent need for supplements. Best sources are liver, yellow-orange fruits and vegetables, dark-green, leafy vegetables, milk, butter and margarine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*	Increased anticoagulant effect with
	large doses (over 10,000 I.U.) of
	vitamin A.
Calcium	Decreased vitamin effect.
Cholestyramine	Decreased vitamin A absorption.
Colestipol	Decreased vitamin absorption.
Contraceptives*,	Increased vitamin A levels.
Isotretinoin	Increased toxic effect of each.
Mineral oil	Decreased vitamin A
(long-term)	absorption.
Neomycin	Decreased vitamin absorption.
Vitamin A	Increased toxicity
derivatives, other	risk.
Vitamin E	Vitamin A depletion.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.