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Vitamin A


  • Vitamin A should not be taken if you are pregnant or think you might be.
  • Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the United Kingdom.

About vitamin A

Type of medicine Vitamin
Used for To prevent and treat the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency which may include, night blindness (difficulty seeing in dim lights), dry rough skin, dry and inflamed eyes and decreased resistance to infection
Available as Tablets, emulsion and injection

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin which comes in two forms:

  • Retinol, found in animal products such as liver, eggs, butter and cod liver oil
  • Beta-carotene, which is found in green leafy and orange/yellow vegetables and fruits

Before taking vitamin A

Before taking vitamin A make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you have any eye problems.
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
  • If you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take vitamin A

  1. Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
  2. Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
  3. Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside vitamin A.
  • Vitamin A must not be taken if you are pregnant or think you might be. Also, pregnant women should not eat liver or liver products because they contain a lot of vitamin A. This includes some pate, liver sausage, fish liver oil capsules and drops.

Can vitamin A cause problems?

This medicine is unlikely to cause any side effects. If however, you experience any worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

How to store vitamin A

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
© EMIS 2008 DocID:
1511		 DocRef:
dils2456		 Last Updated:
19 May 2008		 Date of Next Review:
19 May 2010		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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