VITAMIN A |
|
VITAMIN A
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Acon
Afaxin
Alphalin
Aquasol A
Dispatabs
Sust-A
Numerous multiple vitamin-mineral supplements.
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 (Solatene) decreases severity of sun
exposure in the 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.
When to take:
At the same time each day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. 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 medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Increased adverse reactions and side effects. Jaundice (rare,
but may occur with large doses), malaise, anorexia, vomiting,
irritability.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If child takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or
hospital emergency room for instructions.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
None expected.
Infrequent:
Confusion; dizziness; Continue. Call doctor
drowsiness; headache; when convenient.
irritability; dry,
cracked lips; peeling
skin; hair loss.
Rare:
Bulging soft spot Discontinue. Call
on baby's head, doctor right away.
double vision.
Diarrhea, appetite Continue. Call doctor
loss, nausea, when convenient.
vomiting.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You have chronic kidney failure.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have any kidney disorder.
Pregnancy:
Don't take more than 6,000 units daily.
Infants & children:
Avoid large doses.
Keep vitamin-mineral supplements out of children's reach.
Prolonged use:
No age-related problems expected.
Skin & sunlight:
No age-related problems expected.
Driving or hazardous activities:
No age-related 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
|
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| Anticoagulants |
Increased anticoagulant |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect with large doses (over |
| |
10,000 I.U.) of vitamin A. |
| Calcium supplements |
Decreased vitamin |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
| Cholestyramine |
Decreased vitamin A absorption. |
| Colestipol |
Decreased vitamin absorption. |
| Contraceptives (oral, |
Increased vitamin A |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
levels. |
| Mineral oil |
Decreased vitamin A |
| (long term) |
absorption. |
| Neomycin |
Decreased vitamin absorption. |
| Vitamin A |
Increased toxicity |
| derivatives (other) |
risk. |
| Vitamin E |
Vitamin A depletion. |
| (excess dose) |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
| Marijuana: |
None expected. |
| Tobacco: |
None expected. |
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