
Background
Vitamin A is needed for the proper growth and functioning of many parts of the body, including the eyes, skin, and immune system. It can be found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and fish. Carotenoids are a group of chemicals found in plants. Some can be converted to vitamin A in the body.
People most commonly use vitamin A for treating vitamin A deficiency. It is also used for aging skin, acne, HIV/AIDS, cataracts, child development, infections, and many other conditions.
Safety Safety definitions
Pre-formed vitamin A is possibly unsafe when taken in doses greater than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) daily. Higher doses might increase the risk of side effects. Long-term use of large amounts might cause serious side effects including mental changes.
When applied to the skin: Vitamin A is possibly safe when used short-term. Retinol 0.5% serum has been used daily for up to 12 weeks without serious side effects.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Vitamin A is likely safe when taken in recommended amounts of less than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) of pre-formed vitamin A daily. Larger amounts are possibly unsafe and can cause birth defects. Monitor vitamin A intake from all sources during the first three months of pregnancy. Forms of vitamin A are found in several foods including animal liver, some fortified breakfast cereals, and dietary supplements.Children: Vitamin A is likely safe when taken in the recommended amounts. The maximum amounts of vitamin A that are safe for children are based on age. Vitamin A is possibly unsafe for children when taken by mouth in high doses. Taking high doses can cause side effects, including irritability, sleepiness, diarrhea, and other problems.
Excessive use of alcohol: Drinking alcohol might increase vitamin A's potentially harmful effects on the liver.
Disorders in which the body does not absorb fat properly: People with conditions that affect fat absorption are not able to absorb vitamin A properly. These conditions include celiac disease, short gut syndrome, jaundice, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. If you have one of these conditions, take water-soluble forms of vitamin A, called carotenoids, instead.
Iron deficiency: Iron deficiency might affect the body's ability to use vitamin A.
Liver disease: Too much vitamin A might make liver disease worse. Do not take vitamin A supplements if you have liver disease.
Malnutrition: In people with severe protein malnutrition, taking vitamin A supplements might result in having too much vitamin A in the body.
Zinc deficiency: Zinc deficiency might cause symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. Taking a combination of vitamin A and zinc supplements might be necessary to improve this condition.
Effectiveness
- Vitamin A deficiency. Taking vitamin A by mouth is effective for preventing and treating vitamin A deficiency.
- Aging skin. Applying vitamin A (retinol) on the skin improves skin color, flexibility, and wrinkles in people with aging skin. It isn't clear whether non-prescription retinol works as well as prescription products such as tretinoin (Renova).
- A lung disease that affects newborns (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Giving vitamin A as a shot seems to reduce the risk of this lung disease in infants born with a low birth weight. Vitamin A shots can only be given by a healthcare provider. It isn't clear whether giving vitamin A by mouth is helpful.
- Diarrhea. Giving vitamin A by mouth to young children who are at risk of vitamin A deficiency seems to prevent diarrhea. It isn't clear whether taking vitamin A while breastfeeding can help to prevent diarrhea in the nursing infant.
- Measles. Taking vitamin A by mouth seems to reduce the risk of measles, its complications, and death in young children with vitamin A deficiency.
- Ability to see in low-light conditions. Taking vitamin A by mouth during pregnancy seems to reduce night blindness by 37% in malnourished adults. Vitamin A might work better for this condition when taken with zinc.
- White patches inside the mouth that are usually caused by smoking (oral leukoplakia). Taking high-dose vitamin A by mouth can help treat these lesions.
- Death from any cause. Taking high-dose vitamin A by mouth reduces the risk of death in children under 5 years of age who are at risk for vitamin A deficiency. Taking vitamin A doesn't seem to reduce the risk of death in healthy adults.
- Complications after childbirth. Taking vitamin A by mouth before, during, and after pregnancy reduces diarrhea and the risk of death after giving birth in malnourished adults.
- An inherited eye condition that causes poor night vision and loss of side vision (retinitis pigmentosa). Taking vitamin A by mouth can slow the progression of an eye disease that causes damage to the retina.
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Taking vitamin A by mouth daily for 2 months can reduce symptoms in adults with ulcerative colitis.
- Skin wrinkles from sun damage. Applying non-prescription vitamin A (retinol) serum to the skin improves skin smoothness and wrinkles in females with sun-damaged skin. It might work as well as the prescription products that are approved by the FDA for treating skin wrinkles, such as tretinoin (Renova).
- Head and neck cancer. Taking vitamin A by mouth does not reduce the risk of developing new tumors or improve survival in people with head and neck cancer.
- HIV transmission. Taking vitamin A by mouth does not lower the risk of passing HIV to the fetus during pregnancy, to newborns during delivery, or to infants during breastfeeding. Taking vitamin A supplements during pregnancy might actually increase the risk of passing HIV to babies through breast milk.
- Infection of the lower airways. Taking vitamin A by mouth does not prevent or reduce symptoms of lower airway infections in children. Also, taking vitamin A while breast-feeding does not seem to prevent these infections in nursing infants.
- Prone to allergies and allergic reactions (atopic disease). Giving a single dose of vitamin A by mouth to infants does not seem to prevent atopy.
- Death of an unborn or premature baby. Taking vitamin A by mouth before, during, or after pregnancy does not seem to prevent infant death during the first year of life. Also giving vitamin A by mouth directly to infants doesn't seem to prevent infant death.
- Infection of the intestines by parasites. Giving a single dose of vitamin A by mouth to children taking medicine to treat intestinal parasites doesn't seem to prevent reinfection.
- The most serious type of skin cancer (melanoma). Taking a high dose of vitamin A by mouth doesn't seem to improve survival in people with melanoma.
- Miscarriage. Taking vitamin A by mouth, alone or in combination with other vitamins, before or during early pregnancy doesn't reduce the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
- Blood infection (sepsis). Giving vitamin A to premature infants doesn't seem to prevent sepsis.
- Tuberculosis. Taking vitamin A by mouth doesn't seem to improve symptoms or decrease the risk of death in people with this condition.
Dosing & administration
In supplements, vitamin A is available in two forms: pre-formed vitamin A (retinol or retinyl ester) and provitamin A (carotenoids). For products that contain both, only count the amount of pre-formed vitamin A to determine what is safe. Vitamin A is also available in many topical products, including creams, serums, and lotions. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking very large amounts of vitamin A along with tetracyclines can increase the chance of a serious side effect called intracranial hypertension. But taking normal doses of vitamin A along with tetracyclines does not seem to cause this problem. Do not take large amounts of vitamin A if you are taking antibiotics.
Medications for skin conditions (Retinoids)
Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.
Some medications for skin conditions are made from vitamin A. Taking vitamin A and these medications together could cause toxic effects.
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking large amounts of vitamin A might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking high doses of vitamin A along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Large amounts of vitamin A can also slow blood clotting. Taking vitamin A along with warfarin can increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Retinyl palmitate 2.34 mg equiv. vitamin A 4250 IU
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 37.5 mg
- Lentinula edodes ext. 150 mg
- Trametes versicolor ext. 65 mg
- Curcumin (Turmeric) 23.43 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 124 mg equiv. vitamin E 150 IU
- Selenomethionine 187.5 μg equiv. selenium 75 μg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 23.44 mg equiv. zinc 7.5 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 166.67 mg
- Retinyl acetate 900 μg RE equiv. vitamin A 3000 IU
- L-glutamine 2 g
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31.15 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Curcuma longa ext. 60 mg
- Larix occidentalis (arabinogalactan) (Larch) 750 mg
- Cholecalciferol 5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 200 IU
- Apple pectin 100 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra deglycyrrhizinised ext. 75 mg
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 25 mg
- Actinidia deliciosa ext. 125 mg
- Actinidia deliciosa ext. 125 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 75 mg
- Retinol acetate 450 µg RE equiv. vitamin A 1500 IU
- Zinc amino acid chelate 100 mg equiv. zinc 20 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 52.96 mg equiv. zinc 17 mg
- Zinc gluconate 92.86 mg equiv. zinc 13 mg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 100 mg equiv. magnesium 20 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 20 mg equiv. pyridoxine 16.5 mg
- Retinol palmitate 462 μg equiv. vitamin A 833.33 IU
- L-leucine 1.67 g
- Lysine hydrochloride 451.28 mg equiv. l-lysine 361 mg
- L-isoleucine 450 mg
- L-valine 450 mg
- L-phenylalanine 200 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 209.63 mg equiv. l-cystine 139 mg
- L-methionine 120 mg
- L-tyrosine 112.5 mg
- Histidine hydrochloride 181.69 mg equiv. l-histidine 150 mg
- L-aspartic acid 111 mg
- L-proline 111 mg
- L-serine 27.75 mg
- L-alanine 27.75 mg
- L-glycine 27.75 mg
- Taurine 11 mg
- Carnitine tartrate 10.99 mg equiv. l-carnitine 7.5 mg
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate 5.66 mg equiv. zinc 2.08 mg
- Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 22.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 20 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate 10.01 mg equiv. vitamin E 10 IU
- Cholecalciferol 1.65 μg equiv. vitamin D3 66 IU
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 2 μg
- L-glutamine 2.22 g
- L-threonine 200 mg
- Ferrous fumarate 4.6 mg equiv. iron 1.5 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 1.04 mg equiv. manganese 0.33 mg
- Selenomethionine 37.5 μg equiv. selenium 11.53 μg
- Copper sulphate pentahydrate 675 μg equiv. copper 167 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 11.25 μg equiv. molybdenum 8 μg
- Chromium picolinate 105 μg equiv. chromium 13 μg
- Potassium iodide 225 μg equiv. iodine 17 μg
- Borax 2.25 mg equiv. boron 250 μg
- Choline bitartrate 80.89 mg equiv. choline 33.25 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 3.25 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 777 μg equiv. pyridoxine 650 μg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 500 μg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 616 μg equiv. thiamine 500 μg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 15 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 5 μg
- Biotin 50 μg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 3.56 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 3.25 mg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 10 μg
- Glucose monohydrate (Dextrose) 12.5 g
- Lecithin 250 mg
- Potassium citrate 403 mg equiv. potassium 145.75 mg
- Folic acid 30.76 μg
- Calcium glycerophosphate 392.66 mg equiv. calcium 75 mg
- Calcium phosphate 62.7 mg equiv. calcium 25 mg
- Magnesium glycerophosphate 50.1 mg equiv. magnesium 6.26 mg
- Magnesium citrate 166.65 mg equiv. magnesium 27 mg
- Retinol acetate 200 μgRE equiv. vitamin A 666 IU
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 50 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 6.17 mg equiv. thiamine 5 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 6.58 mg equiv. riboflavin 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 5 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 10.92 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 10 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 4 mg equiv. pyridoxine 2.5 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 10 μg
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 5 μg equiv. vitamin D 200 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 10.33 mg equiv. vitamin E 12.5 IU
- Biotin 37.5 μg
- Folic acid 100 μg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 25 μg
- Calcium citrate tetrahydrate 166.03 mg equiv. calcium 35 mg
- Chromium picolinate 100.6 μg equiv. chromium 12.5 μg
- Copper gluconate 89.3 μg equiv. copper 12.5 μg
- Iron amino acid chelate 9.52 mg equiv. iron 2 mg
- Magnesium phosphate pentahydrate 72.6 mg equiv. magnesium 15 mg
- Potassium iodide 59 μg equiv. iodine 45 μg
- Selenomethionine 31.2 μg equiv. selenium 12.5 μg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 7.5 mg equiv. zinc 1.5 mg
- Lysine hydrochloride 3 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 2.19 mg equiv. manganese 500 μg
- Retinyl acetate (Vitamin A) 200 IU equiv. retinol equivalents 59.98 RE
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 15 mg
- Cholecalciferol 2.5 µg equiv. vitamin D3 100 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 8.27 mg equiv. vitamin E 12.1 IU
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 9.36 mg equiv. zinc 3 mg
- Passiflora incarnata ext. 5 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 2.5 mg equiv. thiamine 2.03 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 2.5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 6 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 5 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 4.58 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 5 mg equiv. pyridoxine 4.11 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 108.5 µg equiv. folinic acid 100 µg
- Biotin 100 µg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 5 mg
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate 33.94 mg equiv. calcium 10 mg
- Chromic chloride hexahydrate 128 µg equiv. chromium 25 µg
- Ferrous fumarate 3.05 mg equiv. iron 1 mg
- Magnesium phosphate pentahydrate 50 mg equiv. magnesium 10.33 mg
- Manganese bisglycinate chelate 313 µg equiv. manganese 50 µg
- Potassium iodide 65 µg equiv. iodine 50 µg
- Lysine hydrochloride 12.5 mg equiv. lysine 10 mg
- Retinyl acetate (Vitamin A) 3.36 mg equiv. vitamin A 9500 IU equiv. retinol equivalents 2850 μg
- Carica papaya (Papain) 190 mg
- Amylase enzyme 63.4 mg equiv. amylase 9754 DU
- Cholecalciferol 9.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 380 IU
- Retinol palmitate (Vitamin A) 2.8 mg equiv. vitamin A 5000 IU equiv. retinol Equivalents 1500 µg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 16.5 mg equiv. vitamin E 20 IU
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 10 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 180 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 7 µg
- Zinc oxide 6.2 mg equiv. zinc 5 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 7.5 mg equiv. thiamine 6.1 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 21.8 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 20 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 8.5 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 10 mg equiv. pyridoxine 8.2 mg
- Calcium carbonate 100 mg equiv. calcium 41.8 mg
- Biotin 25 µg
- Magnesium oxide - heavy 30.6 mg equiv. magnesium 17.9 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 6.2 mg equiv. manganese 2 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 60 mg
- Potassium sulphate 55.8 mg equiv. potassium 25 µg
- Ferrous sulphate 16 mg equiv. iron 5 mg
- Folic acid 200 µg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Choline bitartrate 25 mg
- Retinol acetate 1.1 mg equiv. vitamin A 900 µg
- Selenomethionine 175 µg equiv. selenium 70 µg
- Zinc oxide 17.4 mg equiv. zinc 14 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 1.6 mg equiv. pyridoxine 1.3 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 12.3 mg equiv. vitamin E 14.9 IU
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 45 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 2.4 µg
- Biotin 30 µg
- Magnesium oxide - heavy 87.5 mg equiv. magnesium 50 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 16 mg
- Folic acid 400 µg
- Potassium iodide 197 µg equiv. iodine 150 µg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 1.5 mg equiv. thiamine 1.2 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 6.5 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 6 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 1.3 mg
- Calcium carbonate 250 mg equiv. calcium 100 mg
- Chromium picolinate 282 µg equiv. chromium 35 µg
- Cholecalciferol 5 µg equiv. vitamin D3 200 IU
- Copper sulphate pentahydrate 3.3 mg equiv. copper 850 µg
- Ferrous fumarate 15.7 mg equiv. iron 5 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 10.8 mg equiv. manganese 3.5 mg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 35 µg
- Lycopene 2 mg
- Retinol palmitate 1.4 mg equiv. vitamin A 750 μgRE
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 400 μg
- Rhodiola rosea ext. 200 mg
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 4 mg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 50 mg
- Nicotinic acid (Vitamin B3) 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 180 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 96.06 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 88 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 50 mg equiv. pyridoxine 41.2 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 15.7 mg equiv. pyridoxine 10 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 555.6 μg equiv. folinic acid 400 μg
- Biotin 150 μg
- Choline bitartrate 150 mg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 2.5 μg equiv. vitamin D 100 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 28.92 mg equiv. vitamin E 35 IU
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (low-alpha type) (Vitamin E) 13.5 mg
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain) 15 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 5 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids (Hesperidin) 5 mg
- Rutin (Rutoside) 10 mg
- Acetyl levocarnitine hydrochloride (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 750 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 25 mg
- L-glutamine 40 mg
- Lysine hydrochloride 35 mg
- Taurine 1 g
- Chromium nicotinate 210 μg equiv. chromium 25 μg
- Copper gluconate 42 μg equiv. copper 6 μg
- Magnesium citrate 185 mg equiv. magnesium 30 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 500 μg equiv. manganese 50 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 75 μg equiv. molybdenum 50 μg
- Potassium iodide 40 μg equiv. iodine 31 μg
- Potassium phosphate - dibasic 31 mg equiv. potassium 14 mg
- Selenomethionine 64 μg equiv. selenium 26 μg
- Zinc gluconate 122.5 mg equiv. zinc 16 mg
- Beta vulgaris powder 100 mg
- Rosa canina powder 10 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 41.1 mg equiv. riboflavin 30 mg
- Retinol palmitate 1.4 mg equiv. vitamin A 750 μg RE
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 353 mg
- Lentinula edodes ext. 375 mg
- Scutellaria baicalensis ext. 300 mg
- Perilla frutescens ext. 208 mg
- L-glutamine 3.5 g
- Choline bitartrate 1.5 g
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D 500 IU
- Silybum marianum ext. 86 mg
- Zinc bisglycinate 30 mg equiv. zinc 6 mg
- Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A) 1.38 mg equiv. retinol 750 µg RE
- Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 33.75 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 30 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopherol 20.12 mg equiv. vitamin E 30 IU
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 30 mg
- Oenothera biennis oil 200 mg
- Omega 3 triglycerides 60 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 10 mg equiv. pyridoxine 8.23 mg
- Cholecalciferol 10 µg equiv. vitamin D3 400 IU
- Biotin 1.25 mg
- Selenomethionine 124 µg equiv. selenium 50 µg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 37.5 mg equiv. zinc 7.5 mg
- Demineralised fish proteoglycan extract (Selachii) 125 mg
- Retinyl palmitate 1.37 mg equiv. vitamin A 750 μgRE
- Vitex agnus-castus ext. 100 mg
- Melissa officinalis ext. 120 mg
- Petroselinum crispum ext. 10 mg
- Perilla frutescens ext. 16.67 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 25 mg equiv. riboflavin 19 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 55 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 50.6 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 50 mg equiv. pyridoxine 31.9 mg
- Quercetin 125 mg