RETINOL

High doses during pregnancy may result in harm to the baby.

Too much vitamin A in retinoid form can be harmful or fatal, resulting in what is known as hypervitaminosis A. The body converts the dimerized form, carotene, into vitamin A as it is needed, therefore high levels of carotene are not toxic compared to the ester (animal) forms. The livers of certain animals, especially those adapted to polar environments, often contain amounts of vitamin A that would be toxic to humans.

Precautions

Before using this drug, inform your doctor about your current list of medications, over the counter products (e.g. vitamins, herbal supplements, etc.), allergies, pre-existing diseases, and current health conditions (e.g. pregnancy, upcoming surgery, etc.). Some health conditions may make you more susceptible to the side-effects of the drug. Take as directed by your doctor or follow the direction printed on the product insert.

Interactions

• Vitamin A may increase the risk of bleeding. drugs that also increase bleeding like aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®)
• Vitamin A may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
• Vitamin A may also interact with agents for depression, agents for diarrhea, agents for lowering cholesterol, agents for the stomach and for intestine disorders, agents for weight loss, agents for worm infections, agents that affect the nervous system, agents that affect the liver, alcohol, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antifungals, antimalarials, antivirals, birth control agents taken by mouth, folate agents, iron salts, mineral oil, nicotine, orlistat, osteoporosis agents (for decreased bone density), phytonadione (vitamin K), retinoids, skin disorder agents, thyroid agents, vaccines, and valproic acid.

High doses may result in an enlarged liver, dry skin, or hypervitaminosis A.

Available brands:

• Amino-Max
• Alici-A
• Amino-Vita