A Forte

Precaution

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

Indication

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.

Administration

Should be taken with food.

Side Effect

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.

Pregnancy Category

Pregnancy Category: A (oral); C (doses exceeding RDA); X (>6,000 units/day administered parenterally) Lactation: Distributed into milk; safe at RDA levels

Interaction

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.