Vitamin A and D

Type of Medication: Vitamin

Indications: Prevention or correction of low serum vitamin A and D levels.

Side Effects: Overdose can cause rough skin and hair, enlarged liver, raised ESR, raised calcium and ALP. High levels of Vitamin A can cause birth defects.

Route of administration: Adult (Oral)

Dose:Start with 2 capsules/day. Dose adjusted depending on serum concentration of Vitamin A

Administration: Give with food and enzymes if pancreatic insufficient. Each vitamin A and D capsule contains: 4000 iu vitamin A and 400 iu vitamin D per capsule

Route of administration: Paediatric (Oral)

Dose:Under 1 yrs 0.6 ml Abidec. Over 1 yrs 2 caps/day or 1.2 mls Abidec. Dose adjusted depending on serum concentration of Vitamin A

Examples of some Drug Interactions

Interacting drug: Barbiturates

? increases vitamin D requirements

Interacting drug: Carbamazepine

? increases vitamin D requirements

Interacting drug: Phenobarbitone

? increases vitamin D requirements

Interacting drug: Phenytoin

? increases vitamin D requirements

Interacting drug: Retanoids

risk of hypervitaminosis A.

Interacting drug: Thiazides

increased risk of hypercalcaemia