RETINOL (VITAMIN A)

Vitamin required for proper functioning of the eyes

Dosage Forms

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Capsule with oily liquid

200,000 IU
100,000 IU

Uses

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  • Treatment and prevention of vitamin A deficiency and dryness of eyes due to failure to produce tears
  • Treatment and prevention of xerophthalmia (dryness of eyes due to failure to produce tears)
  • Prophylactic treatment vitamin A deficiency in breast-feeding mothers
  • Prevention of complications of measles
  • Prophylactic treatment in children with pneumonia, diarrhoea, whooping cough, or malnutrition
  • Supplementation in children 6 months–6 years

Dose and Duration

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Given as drops in the mouth

Vitamin A deficiency, dryness of the eyes

Give 3 doses on day 1, 2, and 14

  • Child >12 months: 200,000 IU
  • Child 6–12 months: 100,000 IU
  • Child <6 months: 50,000 IU
Breastfeeding mothers

200,000 IU single dose immediately after delivery or within 2 months after delivery

Prevention of complications of measles

Give 200,000 IU

  • 1ˢᵗ dose: at diagnosis
  • 2ⁿᵈ dose: the next day
  • 3ʳᵈ dose: 2–4 weeks later
Prophylactic treatment in children with whooping cough, pneumonia, diarrhoea and malnutrition
  • Child 1–6 years: 200,000 IU single dose
  • Child 6–11 months: 100,000 IU single dose
Supplementation in children >6 months
  • Child 1–6 years: 200,000 IU single dose every 6 months
  • Child 6–11 months: 100,000 IU single dose every 6 months

Record the dose on the child's immunisation card

Side Effects

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  • No side effects when given in recommended doses

Patient Instructions

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  • Pierce a hole in the capsule carefully and give as drops in the mouth
  • Discard the shell

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breast-feeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Unless specifically indicated, do not give vitamin A within 4 weeks of any previous dose the child may have received
  • Overdose or accumulation in the liver causes rough skin, dry hair, and enlarged liver
  • For eye dryness in pregnancy, with less severe symptoms, use very small doses, no more than 5000–10,000 IU/day for at least 2 weeks or 25,000 IU weekly as a single dose
  • Excessive dose in pregnancy may be teratogenic. Should not be given except on expert advice