RETINOL = VITAMIN A oral

Select language:
Permalink
On this page

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Vitamin

    Indications

    • Prevention of vitamin A deficiency
    • Treatment of vitamin A deficiency (xerophthalmia)

    Forms and strengths

    • 200 000 IU capsule, i.e. about 8 drops (1 drop = 25 000 IU)

    Dosage and duration

    Prevention of vitamin A deficiency

    • Child under 6 months: 50 000 IU single dose
    • Child from 6 to 12 months: one dose of 100 000 IU every 4 to 6 months
    • Child over 1 year: one dose of 200 000 IU every 4 to 6 months

     

    Treatment of vitamin A deficiency

    • Child under 6 months: 50 000 IU once daily on D1, D2 and D8 (or D15)
    • Child from 6 to 12 months: 100 000 IU once daily on D1, D2 and D8 (or D15)
    • Child over 1 year and adult: 200 000 IU once daily on D1, D2 and D8 (or D15)

     

    Age

    200 000 IU capsule

    Prevention

    Treatment

    < 6 months

    2 drops

    2 drops

    6 months to < 1 year

    4 drops

    4 drops

    1 to < 5 years

    1 cap

    1 cap

    ≥ 5 years and adult

    1 cap

     

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not exceed indicated doses.
    • Overdosage may cause: gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, raised intracranial pressure (bulging fontanelle in infants); foetal abnormalities.
    • Pregnancy:

    Prevention: after delivery only, 200 000 IU single dose
    Treatment: dosage depends on severity of eye lesions:

    • Night blindness and Bitot's spots: 10 000 IU once daily or 25 000 IU once weekly for at least 4 weeks
    • Corneal lesion: 200 000 IU once daily on D1, D2 and D8 (or D15)
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication at recommended doses

    Remarks

    • Do not swallow the capsule. Cut open the end of the capsule and squeeze the dose directly into the mouth.
    • Administer routinely 2 doses (on D1 and D2) to children suffering from measles to prevent the complications of measles.

    Storage

     
    –  Below 25 °C