How to drink vitamin a retinol. How to drink vitamin A for maximum benefit to the body? How to take vitamins on an empty stomach

A fat-soluble vitamin that contributes to the normal development and growth of the body, metabolism.

The use of vitamin A reduces inflammation and normalizes the change of layers of the epidermis.

HEALING PROPERTIES

Vitamin A (retinol) promotes the regeneration of the epithelium, regulates metabolic processes in the skin, in the mucous membranes of the eyes (antixerophthalmic action), respiratory and genitourinary system, digestive tract, has a significant effect on tissue respiration.

Retinol increases the glycogen content in the liver, muscles and heart, the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, has a beneficial effect on the activity of the thyroid gland, sweat and sebaceous glands, liver and visual function (necessary for the restoration of rhodopsin).

Vitamin A and fragments of its molecule - citral and cichol - have an antihistamine effect.

The minimum daily requirement for vitamin A for adults and children 7 years of age and older is 1-1.5 mg (carotene - 6 mg), that is, 5000 IU (international units). The need for vitamin A is greater in persons working as drivers of cars (drivers, pilots, etc.), since they have increased requirements for vision.

Daily requirement for vitamin A during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with skin diseases, burns, purulent wounds, diseases of the intestines, pancreas, respiratory tract, thyroid gland, fractures, nephrolithiasis, etc. the daily requirement for retinol increases significantly and amounts to 2 mg (6600 IU).

Daily requirement for vitamin A for children: under the age of 1 year - 1650 IU (0.5 mg), from 1 year to 6 years - 3300 IU (1 mg), from 7 years and older - 5000 IU (1.5 mg ).

With insufficient intake of vitamin A, weakness and apathy, fatigue, lethargy develop in the body. There are conjunctivitis, xerophthalmia (dry eyes), dystrophy of the skin and its appendages (hair, nails), the restoration of the epithelium is disturbed.

With hypovitaminosis A, the skin becomes pale and dry, flaky, pigmented, rashes appear on it, hair becomes thinner and falls out, nails become brittle. Against the background of hypovitaminosis A, pustular skin diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract and intestinal disorders can occur. Hypovitaminosis A is the cause of frinoderma.

INDICATIONS FOR USE

In therapy vitamin A is used in therapy for the prevention and treatment of avitaminosis A and hypovitaminosis due to a lack of retinol in food (keratomalacia, xerophthalmia, frinoderma, etc.); with inflammatory and erosive and ulcerative diseases of the intestine, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, acute epidemic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, nephrolithiasis, oxaluria, pyelitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, catarrh of the nasopharynx.

As a means of activating oxidative processes and increasing the overall resistance of the body, vitamin A is used in infectious diseases.

Local preparations of vitamin A are prescribed to activate the processes of healing and tissue regeneration, to treat wounds, ulcers, burns, frostbite.

in dermatology, taking into account the fact that retinol helps to reduce the severity of inflammation and normalizes skin functions, and also taking into account the reduced content of vitamin A in the skin with some chronic dermatoses, vitamin A is used for dry skin (xeroderma), ichthyosis, psoriasis, parapsoriasis, keratoderma, follicular keratosis, dyskeratosis (vegetative dyskeratosis Darier, etc.), seborrheic eczema, asbestos lichen, pruritus, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, acne, chronic pyoderma, furunculosis, skin tuberculosis, urticaria, chills, inflammatory changes in the oral mucosa (leukoplakia) and larynx, seizures, with hyperpigmentation, growth disorders and premature graying of hair, with nail diseases.

APPLICATION RULES

Vitamin A preparations are taken orally (in the form of solutions and dragees) and used topically; retinol acetate and retinol palmitate (in oil solutions) are also administered intramuscularly. Intramuscular administration of vitamin A preparations is more effective.

inside appoint a dragee (3-5 tablets three times a day) or an oil solution of vitamin A (10-20 drops three times a day after eating on a piece of black bread, or twice a day, 5 drops, increasing the dose by 5 drops a day to 30 drops twice a day for 2-3 months, then the dose is gradually reduced). If necessary, after 4 months, the course of treatment is repeated.
Intramuscular oil solutions of vitamin A are administered daily or every other day in a two-stage way: for adults - 10,000-100,000 IU (therapeutic doses vary depending on the nature of the disease), for children - 5,000-10,000 IU. Total for the course of treatment - 20-30 injections.
locally used to treat burns, frostbite and ulcers: in an open way - an oily solution of retinol is applied to the previously cleaned affected surface 5-6 times a day and covered with gauze; in a closed way - an ointment is applied under the bandage 1 time per day (in 1.0 g of ointment 50,000–100,000 IU of vitamin A).

The highest dose of vitamin A: single - 50,000 IU, daily - 100,000 IU.

With topical application of retinol solutions, vitamin A preparations are simultaneously prescribed orally.

SIDE EFFECTS

With prolonged use of large doses of vitamin A preparations, hypervitaminosis A may develop, the symptoms of which are lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, irritability, hyperesthesia, flushing of the face with subsequent peeling of the skin, skin rashes, itching, pigmentation, violation metabolism, yellowness of the soles and skin of the feet, weight loss.

Children experience loss of appetite, vomiting, protrusion of the fontanel, increased pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

The need for vitamin A during pregnancy and breastfeeding is 6600 IU (2 mg) per day.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

With caution, vitamin A is prescribed to patients with an allergy to fish, nephrosis, and patients with myxedema.

For the absorption of retinol and carotene, the presence of fats and bile acids in the intestines is necessary. The use of foods containing vitamin A in the absence of fat drastically reduces their use in the body. When rancidity of fats containing vitamin A, as well as under the influence of direct sunlight, retinol is destroyed.

In case of liver diseases and violation of the flow of bile into the intestine, the conversion of carotene into vitamin A is inhibited, therefore, in such conditions, it is necessary to prescribe preparations not of carotene, but of vitamin A.

COMPOSITION AND FORMS OF RELEASE

Released:

Recipes for vitamin A

Rp.:	Vitamini A	0,03
	D.t. d. No. 30 in tabl.
	S.
Rp.:	Retinoli	0,001
	D.t. d. N 50 in dragee
	S.

Tablets containing 30 mg of vitamin A (for medicinal purposes).
Dragee for prophylactic purposes in jars of 100 dragees. 1 dragee contains: vitamin A in the form of retinol acetate or retinol palmitate - 3300 IU (in terms of 100% substance); excipients: sugar, starch syrup, wheat flour, talc, wax, mint essential oil or food flavor, vaseline oil.
Soft gelatin capsules, 40 capsules (20×2) per package. 1 capsule contains 12,000 IU of retinol palmitate.
Soft capsules in blisters of 10 (10×1) or (10×5) capsules. 1 capsule contains 5,000 IU, 33,000 IU or 100,000 IU of retinol palmitate.
Vitamin A concentrate in fish oil (1 ml contains 100,000 IU or 170,000 IU) in 10 ml and 20 ml vials.

ATX code: A11C A01. Vitamin A group (retinoids).

Vitamin A is part of many multivitamin preparations (for example, Aevit).

For 1 international unit of vitamin A (IU), the activity of 0.3 micrograms (0.0003 mg) of pure vitamin A or 0.6 micrograms (0.0006 mg) of carotene is taken; 1.0 mg of vitamin A contains 3300 IU.

EXPIRY DATE AND STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in a cool, dark place. Released by prescription.

Shelf life of vitamin A: capsules - 3 years.

VITAMIN A PREPARATIONS

Retinol acetate promotes normal metabolism, ensures the activity of the organ of vision, lacrimal, sebaceous and sweat glands; necessary for the normal functioning of the skin and mucous membranes, increases the body's resistance to infections.

Retinol acetate oil solution- transparent oily liquid from light yellow to dark yellow. For therapeutic purposes, it is used according to the same indications as other preparations containing vitamin A.

Retinol palmitate- light yellow crystalline powder, has all the biological properties of vitamin A. It is prescribed for diseases of the skin, eyes, as well as for chronic intestinal diseases, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver.

axeromalt- retinol acetate in oil solution or vitamin A in fish oil and malt extract. It is taken orally for the same indications as other vitamin A concentrates.

Oil solution of carotene applied topically in the form of lotions, compresses or mixed with ointment, paste, emulsion with anti-inflammatory properties. The use of carotene in oil is shown for chronic eczema, sluggish ulcers, burns, frostbite, aseptic and purulent wounds.

Fish oil fortified It is used as a tonic and vitamin remedy. 1 ml contains 1000 IU of vitamin A and 100 IU of vitamin D.

Vitaderm- paraffin mass containing a solution of carotene (provitamin A).

PROPERTIES

(Vitamin A), or retinol found in large quantities in products of animal origin: fish oil and liver, sturgeon caviar, sprats, summer cow's milk and butter (margarine does not contain vitamin A), sour cream, cheese, egg yolk, liver of cattle and marine animals, kidneys.

IN herbal products contains provitamin A in the form of yellow-red pigments - carotenes and cryptoxanthines, which in the human body turn into vitamin A. Especially rich in carotene are fresh carrots, lettuce, spinach, sorrel, onion greens, nettle leaves, tomatoes, red peppers, green pea, sea buckthorn fruits, berries (black currant, gooseberry, blackberry). It is also present in apricots, peaches, chokeberry, pumpkin, yellow carrot, turnip, alfalfa, etc.

The main source of vitamin A preparations is the liver oil of some fish (cod, sea bass) and marine animals (seal, walrus, whale). Vitamin A is also obtained synthetically.

Retinol enters the body in its finished form, as well as in the form of carotene, or provitamin A, which is converted to vitamin A in the liver and walls of the small intestine under the influence of the carotene enzyme. The conversion of carotene into vitamin A is activated by thyroid-stimulating and gonadotropic hormones of the anterior pituitary gland, insulin, thyroxine, vitamins C and B12. The biological activity of carotene is 3 times lower than that of vitamin A.

Vitamin A passes through the stomach unchanged, is absorbed in the intestines and accumulates in the liver, is excreted from healthy body with feces, not excreted in urine.

Vitamin A actively influences some stages of the metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, redox processes, participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids, sex and corticosteroid hormones.

ANALOGUES

Axerol. Axerophthol (Axerophtholum). Vitaplex A. Retinol (Retinolum).

International name: Retinol (Retinol)

Group: Vitamins and vitamin-like preparations. Antihypoxants and antioxidants

Active ingredients: Retinol acetate or retinol palmitate

Chemical formula:

Chemical formula of Vitamin A

Release form:

dragee (instruction insert included)
drops for oral administration
oral drops [in oil]
capsules
solution for intramuscular injection [oily]
oral solution [oily]
solution for oral and external use [oily]
coated tablets

Instruction

pharmachologic effect

Retinol is a necessary component for the normal functioning of the retina of the eye, as it binds to opsin (the red pigment of the retina), forming the visual purple rhodopsin, which is necessary for visual adaptation in the dark. Vitamin A is essential for bone growth, normal reproductive function, embryonic development, to regulate the division and differentiation of the epithelium (increases the reproduction of epithelial skin cells, rejuvenates the cell population, inhibits the processes of keratinization). Vitamin A takes part as a cofactor in various biochemical processes.

Indications for use

According to the instructions, it is necessary to take retinol in the following cases:

Hypo- and avitaminosis A, as well as conditions of increased body need for vitamin A: gastrectomy, diarrhea, steatorrhea, celiac disease, sprue, Crohn's disease, malabsorption syndrome, cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, frequent infectious (including chronic) and "colds » diseases
Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition (including parenteral nutrition)
Fast weight loss
Nicotine addiction, drug addiction, alcoholism
A state of prolonged stress
Taking cholestyramine, colestipol, mineral oils, and neomycin
hyperthyroidism
Hemeralopia, xerophthalmia, keratomalacia

Currently, retinol is not recommended for the treatment of dry skin, wrinkles, eye diseases and infections not associated with vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A has not been proven effective in the treatment of nephrolithiasis, hyperthyroidism, anemia, degenerative changes nervous system, sunburn, lung diseases, hearing loss, osteoarthritis, inflammatory diseases intestines, psoriasis.

Contraindications for use

Hypersensitivity
Vitamin A hypervitaminosis
1 trimester of pregnancy

Take retinol for alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, kidney failure, pregnancy (especially the first trimester), lactation, the elderly and childhood should only be prescribed by a doctor and in strict accordance with the instructions for use.

Side effects

Parenteral administration - soreness at the injection site, infiltration
Overdose

Overdose

Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin, and therefore taking a large dose in a short time or long-term use at an increased dosage can lead to an overdose of the vitamin in the body.

Symptoms of acute overdose (develop 6 hours after administration) of vitamin A:

in adults - drowsiness, lethargy, double vision, dizziness, severe headache, nausea, severe vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, osteoporosis, bleeding from the gums, dryness and ulceration, agitation, oral mucosa, peeling of the lips, skin (especially palms ), confusion, increased intracranial pressure
in infants - hydrocephalus, protrusion of the fontanel

Symptoms of chronic intoxication:

loss of appetite, bone pain, cracked and dry skin, lips, dryness of the oral mucosa, gastralgia, vomiting, hyperthermia, asthenia, excessive fatigue, discomfort, headache, photosensitivity, pollakiuria, nocturia, polyuria, irritability, hair loss, yellow - orange spots on the soles, palms, in the area of the nasolabial triangle, hepatotoxic phenomena, intraocular hypertension, oligomenorrhea, portal hypertension, hemolytic anemia, changes in bone radiographs, convulsions;
fetotoxic phenomena: in humans - malformations of the urinary system, growth retardation, early closure of the epiphyseal growth zones; in animals - malformations of the central nervous system, spine, chest, heart, eyes, upper palate, genitourinary system.

Treatment for overdose - withdrawal of the drug and symptomatic therapy.

Vitamin A is taken orally (capsules, oil) for preventive and medicinal purposes(10-15 minutes after eating). With severe beriberi or malabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract, intramuscular injections of the vitamin (ampoules with an oil solution) are indicated. Oil for injections have a high viscosity, therefore, before i / m administration, they are heated to body temperature. In cases requiring long-term treatment (diseases of the skin, eyes), courses of intramuscular injections can be alternated with oral administration. Inside, in / m.

With mild to moderate beriberi, adults - 33 thousand IU / day, children - 1-5 thousand IU / day (depending on age).
With hemeralopia, xerophthalmia for adults - 50-100 thousand IU / day, for children as prescribed by a doctor.
For skin diseases for adults - 50-100 thousand IU / day, for children as prescribed by a doctor.

special instructions

Since vitamin A is fat-soluble and is excreted from the body slowly, in order to avoid the development of hypervitaminosis A, do not exceed the recommended doses indicated in the instructions for use. For the treatment of acne, high doses of Retinol are required, which increases the risk of toxic complications, therefore, with this nosology, local forms of Retinol (including tretinoin or isotretinoin) are most preferable. The daily requirement for vitamin A for an adult is 5 thousand IU (1.5 mg); for pregnant women - 6.6 thousand IU (2 mg); for lactating women - 8.25 thousand IU (2.5 mg); children under 1 year old - 1.65 thousand IU (0.5 mg); 1-6 years - 3.3 thousand IU (1 mg); 7-14 years - 5 thousand IU (1.5 mg). In the conditions of the Far North, doses for pregnant and lactating women and children are increased by 50%.

Interaction with other drugs

Weakens the effect of Ca2 + drugs, increases the risk of hypercalcemia.
Colestyramine, colestipol, mineral oils, neomycin reduce the absorption of vitamin A (you may need to increase its dose).
Oral contraceptives increase the concentration of Retinol in plasma.
Isotretinoin increases the risk of a toxic effect.
The simultaneous use of tetracycline and vitamin A in high doses (50 thousand / IU and above) increases the risk of developing intracranial hypertension.
Vitamin E reduces toxicity, absorption, deposition in the liver and use of vitamin A; high doses of vitamin E can reduce the body's stores of Retinol.

Retinol acetate (retinol)

Composition and form of release of the drug

10 pieces. - cellular contour packings (3) - packs of cardboard.
20 pcs. - cellular contour packings (1) - packs of cardboard.

pharmachologic effect

A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It has a variety of effects on the vital activity of the body. It plays an important role in redox processes (due to the large number of unsaturated bonds), participates in the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides, proteins, lipids. plays an important role in maintaining the normal state of the skin and epithelium of the mucous membranes, ensuring the normal differentiation of epithelial tissue, in the processes of photoreception (it contributes to human adaptation to darkness). Retinol is involved in mineral metabolism, cholesterol formation processes, enhances the production of lipase and trypsin, enhances myelopoiesis, cell division processes. Local action is mediated by the presence of specific retinol-binding receptors on the surface of epithelial cells. It inhibits the processes of keratinization, enhances the proliferation of epitheliocytes, rejuvenates cell populations and reduces the number of cells that follow the path of terminal differentiation.

It is believed that retinol has an antitumor effect, which, however, does not apply to non-epithelial tumors.

Indications

Hypovitaminosis and beriberi A. Eye diseases (retinitis pigmentosa, hemeralopia, xerophthalmia, keratomalacia, eczematous lesions of the eyelids), diseases and skin lesions (frostbite, burns, wounds, ichthyosis, hyperkeratosis, psoriasis, some forms of eczema and other inflammatory and degenerative pathological processes) . Complex therapy of rickets, malnutrition, acute respiratory infections, chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, erosive-ulcerative and inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract,. Epithelial tumors and leukemias (in order to increase the resistance of hematopoietic tissue to the action of cytostatics in complex chemotherapy). Mastopathy (as part of a complex of non-hormonal drugs).

Contraindications

Gallstone disease, chronic pancreatitis (exacerbation of the disease is possible), I trimester of pregnancy.

Dosage

Apply inside, in / m, externally.

Therapeutic doses for mild to moderate beriberi: for adults - up to 33,000 IU / day, for hemeralopia, xerophthalmia, retinitis pigmentosa - 50,000-100,000 IU / day. During pregnancy and during breastfeeding, the daily dose of retinol is 10,000 IU / day. Children - 1000-5000 IU / day, depending on age. For adults - 50,000-100,000 IU / day, for children - 5000-20,000 IU / day.

Oil solutions can also be applied externally - for burns, ulcers, frostbite, lubricating 5-6 times / day and covering with gauze; at the same time apply retinol inside or in / m.

Side effects

Hypervitaminosis A: in adults - drowsiness, lethargy, flushing of the face, nausea, vomiting, gait disorders, pain in the bones of the lower extremities; in children, fever, drowsiness, sweating, vomiting, skin rashes are possible.

In what cases is vitamin A usually taken and what important nuances can not be found in the instructions for its use;
What forms of release of vitamin A preparations are commercially available today and which one to prefer in your case;
How to take drugs correctly (including in capsules when used for cosmetic purposes);
Names of vitamin A preparations;
And also what can be caused by ignoring contraindications to taking the appropriate funds and how you can get poisoned with vitamin A out of ignorance.

If you are going to use vitamin A for one purpose or another, then first of all you need to understand that this substance, despite its enormous benefits for the body (at normal dosages), can cause significant harm to health if the instructions for use are not followed. Therefore, before taking the appropriate drug orally, injecting it intramuscularly, or even simply adding it to a face mask, it is first useful to consider a number of important nuances- and not only contraindications, but also some other points that we will consider further.

But first, let's remember, so to speak, the basic properties of vitamin A (retinol) and its effect on the human body. The most important functions of retinol are:

maintaining the work of the visual system (the visual pigment rhodopsin is synthesized in the body only in the presence of vitamin A);
providing an anti-cancer effect (a healthy person does not feel this effect - free radicals, including those constantly formed in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and oxygen, simply bind and no longer manifest themselves in any way. However, there would be no such protection - and problems would not force wait for yourself)
stimulation immune system;
stimulation of tissue regeneration processes;
as well as ensuring the synthesis of a number of hormones.

Accordingly, vitamin A is used as part of medicines and therapeutic complexes for:

eye diseases - keratitis, conjunctivitis, twilight blindness, disorders of near and far vision, xerophthalmia;
skin diseases - eczema, allergic dermatosis, dry skin, ichthyosis, keratoderma, urticaria, furunculosis, seizures;
baldness, hair growth disorders and early graying;
nail diseases;
inflammatory processes different localization;
thrush, edema and some diseases of the mucous membranes;
pneumonia;
immunodeficiencies and seasonal weakening of immunity;
peptic ulcers of the digestive tract (gastritis, duodenitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis);
inflammation of the liver of various etiologies;
various infectious diseases;
treatment of skin lesions - ulcers, frostbite, burns, open wounds;
anemia.

In addition, vitamin A is widely used in cosmetology to improve the condition of the skin and hair, to slow down the processes of general aging of the body and normalize metabolism.

Meanwhile, retinol preparations also have serious contraindications, therefore, vitamin A should be taken in each case in strict accordance with the instructions for use and the doctor's instructions.

On a note

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble substance, and therefore is usually sold in the form of oil solutions. The only exceptions are multivitamin complexes in the form of dragees and powders. The instructions for them are quite simple, but this does not negate the seriousness of the approach when choosing any of them.

Forms of release of preparations with vitamin A

Vitamin A for therapeutic and prophylactic use is available in the form of:

oil solutions for intramuscular injections;
oily solutions for oral or external use;
capsules, sometimes also called film-coated tablets (again, they contain an oily solution of retinol acetate or palmitate);
and, as noted above, as a component of multivitamin complexes in a variety of forms - dragees, powders, syrups, capsules.

It should be borne in mind that in most cases, the therapeutic effect will be much more pronounced if the oil solution of retinol is taken orally (or injected intramuscularly) than when applied externally. The fact is that the external use of vitamin A allows the beneficial substance to act only on the outer layers of the skin, and at the same time, retinol is absorbed in extremely low quantities. Often, with external use, a visible improvement in the condition of the skin is observed not even due to vitamin A, but due to skin softening with oil in which retinol is dissolved.

Capsules with an oily solution are taken internally, and usually the useful substance from them is absorbed well. In the case of injections, the bioavailability of retinol is even higher.

In accordance with the instructions, vitamin A capsules should be taken during or after meals - the gelatin shell of the capsule is quickly dissolved by gastric juice.

As part of multivitamin preparations, the use of vitamin A is justified only for correcting the vitamin balance in general and as a general support for the body - for example, for the prevention of seasonal weakening of immunity and hypovitaminosis. For the treatment of diseases, retinol in this form is practically not used.

On a note

In multivitamin complexes, it is often not vitamin A itself that is used, but the so-called provitamin A - beta-carotene (sometimes they write "beta-carotene"). Beta-carotene, even in the case of significant overdose, does not have such a strong toxic effect on the body, as is the case with retinol acetate or retinol palmitate.

Rules for the use of vitamin A capsules

Vitamin A capsules are usually taken to treat diseases of the digestive tract, the visual system, and also to correct the development of the skeleton in children. Such treatment is always extended in time and therefore the loading doses characteristic of retinol injections are not needed here.

The number of vitamin A capsules that should be taken per day depends significantly on the clinical case and the concentration of retinol in the oil solution enclosed in capsules. So, for example, in various preparations of vitamin A, capsules contain from 3300 IU to 100,000 IU at a daily rate of about 5000 IU for an adult, 8000 IU for pregnant and lactating women and 650 IU for children under the age of 1 year.

Capsules with a high content of vitamin A, doctors sometimes recommend drinking in the treatment of serious lags in the development of the skeleton and in diseases of the skin.

Today, it has become very popular to use vitamin A in capsules externally - to care for the skin of the face, head, to improve the condition of hair and nails. Manufacturers of drugs do not give instructions for this use of vitamin A, but folk craftsmen usually act like this: they pierce the capsules, add the contents to shampoos and masks, and then apply them to the corresponding part of the body.

On a note

Some vitamin A capsules contain cod liver oil, a rich natural source of retinol. And although the advantage of such drugs is their naturalness, nevertheless, in case of an overdose, vitamin A poisoning will be no less pronounced than in the case of taking synthetic analogues.

The most well-known vitamin A capsules are as follows:

Instructions for the use of a particular vitamin A preparation may vary slightly.

On a note

Aevit vitamins are also very popular today for skin and hair care - this drug is also produced in capsules, but in addition to retinol it also contains vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin A solution in ampoules

Vitamin A in ampoules, as in the case of capsules, can be used in different ways:

first of all, the instruction for such drugs implies their use in the form of injections (for the rapid administration of large doses as a therapeutic measure);
you can also take the contents of the ampoules inside - for the prevention of hypovitaminosis and the treatment of diseases requiring the use of retinol (however, in such cases, the use of capsules is more convenient);
and, finally, you can apply the contents of the ampoules externally - for the treatment of skin, wounds, hair.

Ampoules, like capsules, also contain an oily solution of vitamin A, and therefore the areas of its application do not differ significantly from those for encapsulated preparations. Retinol in ampoules is prescribed for:

severe hypovitaminosis and vitamin A deficiency. In these cases, 33,000 IU are prescribed for adults and up to 5,000 IU for children;
skin diseases - here adults are prescribed up to 100,000 IU per day, children - up to 5,000 IU;
Crohn's disease;
malabsorption (loss of nutrients entering the digestive tract);
diarrhea
weakening of the immune system;
stress;
multiple pregnancy.

In the case of external use, the contents of the ampoule are usually treated with the skin of the face or the solution is applied to the hair (as part of shampoos and masks). Some recipes involve the inclusion of the drug in face masks, homemade creams and lotions.

How to inject vitamin A intramuscularly?

Intramuscular injections of vitamin A are prescribed for serious eye diseases, dermatoses, disorders of the cardiovascular system.

In the case when injections are made independently, it is important to follow the instructions as accurately as possible: before the procedure, the solution in the ampoule must be heated to body temperature, then break off the tip of the ampoule (sometimes this requires a special ampoule knife), draw the solution into the syringe and squeeze the bubbles out of the syringe air. After that, the tip of the needle is inserted into the femoral or gluteal muscle previously wiped with an alcohol wipe, and the solution is slowly squeezed out of the syringe.

The introduction of vitamin A intravenously is unacceptable, since the entry of the oil base into the blood can lead to very adverse consequences!

The most popular vitamin A preparations in ampoules are:

domestic "Retinol acetate" (manufactured by several pharmaceutical companies);
Serum "BeautyMed";
Retinol Clapp.

It should be understood that if, for example, you just have dry skin, or brittle hair, then you should absolutely not prescribe vitamin A injections for yourself. Not only is the cause of the problems not at all a lack of retinol, but there is also a high risk of making a mistake with the dosage.

On a note

An example of a vitamin A overdose is the severe polar bear liver poisoning sometimes seen in people in the Arctic. One gram of such a liver contains as much retinol as a person consumes in almost a month. Even 50 grams of polar bear liver cause very severe poisoning, and in some cases can lead to human death.

Vitamin A oil solution

Oil solutions of vitamin A are available with different content of retinol: there are preparations, 1 ml of which contains 100,000 IU (3.44%) and 200,000 IU (6.88%) of retinol. As a rule, such drugs are used for oral administration.

Vitamin A oil solutions should be taken as directed by a physician for each individual case. Such solutions are used not only for medicinal purposes, but also for preventive purposes.

Multivitamins with retinol

Most multivitamin preparations contain vitamin A in one form or another (either retinol itself or its precursor, beta-carotene, which was already mentioned above).

Examples of multivitamin preparations:

various complexes Alphabet, Duovit, Complivit, Vitrum, Multi-Tabs, Merz, Centrum - designed for comprehensive support of the patient's body at any age;
Separately, we can highlight the preparations Alfavit Cosmetic, Complivit Shine, Vitrum Beauty and a whole line of Lady's Formula products - designed to support the skin, hair and beauty of women in general;
Two-vitamin complexes can also be noted - preparations Aevit and Vitae, focused primarily on supporting immunity.

When taking any multivitamin complex, you should remember that if you want to make up for the lack of vitamin A, you can easily get an excess of another component of the drug. Despite the seeming harmlessness of these “vitamins”, they have their own contraindications, so do not forget to look at the instructions.

Contraindications and dangers of taking vitamin A

The main danger of consuming large doses of vitamin A is intoxication of the body, that is, in fact, poisoning. When used daily over 4,000 IU for six months, chronic poisoning can develop, and with a single use of more than 250,000 - 500,000 IU, sharp acute intoxication can occur with paralysis, vomiting and convulsions.

Chronic intoxication is characterized by headaches, nausea, vomiting, digestive disorders, joint pain.

Contraindications to the use of vitamin A are active allergic reactions and hypothyroidism. Also, you should not take retinol preparations together with retinoids, since the combination of these substances enhances the toxic effect.

This is interesting

In addition to polar bear liver, the liver of sharks, walruses and some other animals also contains huge amounts of vitamin A. It is with the accidental consumption of these foods that rare cases of fatal poisoning of people with retinol are associated.

The use of large doses of vitamin A during pregnancy can lead to abnormalities in the development of the fetus and birth defects of the child's skeleton. Therefore, before starting the use of retinol preparations, pregnant women should always consult a doctor.

Be healthy!

An interesting video about the importance of vitamin A for vision and skin, and how it can be dangerous...

And some more interesting information about vitamin A

diet modern man excludes the sufficient receipt of the necessary substances by the body from food, and the rhythm of life and stress prevent their replenishment on their own. Most people are deficient in certain substances and vitamin deficiency, so they are forced to resort to their use as supplements and vitamin complexes.

Vitamin A is responsible for the general condition of the body. With its lack, metabolic processes are disturbed, a decrease in growth is noticed in children and adolescents. Immunity and vision are reduced, including its deficiency, which adversely affects the cornea and the work of the lacrimal glands.

Adults who do not get enough vitamin A suffer from the so-called "night blindness" - a disease in which the eyes do not distinguish anything at dusk. That is why it is important to supplement this vitamin with food if you are deficient in this vitamin.

Daily requirement for vitamin A

The consumption of the required amount of vitamin A is important, since it is involved in serious body processes, such as metabolism, the immune system, without which it is impossible to build protection against viruses and infections, and also contributes to the successful functioning of the visual apparatus.

It is important to know that this vitamin is insoluble in water, however, fat-soluble, and is absorbed only in combination with animal fat. Therefore, it is available in the form of an oil solution, or gelatin dragees filled with oil.

You can also often see the drug "Aevit", which contains two fat-soluble substances: retinol and tocopherol. Food sources of vitamin A are the following foods:

Fatty dairy products such as butter, cottage cheese, cream;
Liver of marine fish - halibut, perch, cod and others, as well as some mammals;
Carrots, which are rich in carotene and promote the reproduction of the vitamin by the intestines; using it and other vegetables in order to obtain carotene, it is required to use it with fatty foods. As a rule, most yellow and orange vegetables and fruits, to one degree or another, contain carotene, which is involved in the body's production of vitamin A.

In animal fats, the amount of vitamin A depends on what the fish, bird or mammal eats. If he has a rich and varied plant food in his diet, there is a high probability of a large content of the vitamin in his liver, like in fish, or in milk, like in mammals.

Fish oil is more saturated with retinol (vitamin A), tens or hundreds of times stronger than products based on cow's milk, since their diet contains more of this substance, which they receive from plankton and algae. In such a situation, it is quite difficult to get the required amount of vitamins from food, especially for residents of the middle zone and regions remote from the sea.

The normal daily intake for adults is 1 to 2.5 mg or 3300 IU (international units), which is equivalent to 5 mg of α-carotene. In women during pregnancy and lactation, these figures are 2 times higher, since vitamins are important for the development of the fetus, and are also transmitted to the child with milk.

Also, the amount of vitamin a received should be greater in people who constantly strain their eyesight - pilots, drivers, computer workers, seamstresses and many others.

Indications and contraindications for use

There are a number of indications for taking vitamin A, including not only beriberi, but also many diseases of the stomach, intestines, nervous disorders, decreased immunity, eye diseases, nervous disorders, general fatigue, skin problems, and much more.

with diarrhea and infectious diseases, decreased immunity and frequent colds, weakness of the body;
with gastrectomy, steatorrhea, celiac disease, sprue, Crohn's disease and cystic fibrosis of the pancreas;
with a sharp weight loss and poor nutrition and diets;
during pregnancy and lactation to help in the development of the child;
with nervous disorders, severe and prolonged stress, fatigue and loss of strength and sleep, various addictions to nicotine, alcohol or drugs;
when taking certain drugs that worsen the condition of the gastrointestinal tract or adversely affect vision;
with hemeralogy, xerophthalmia, keratomalacia and general deterioration of vision and other eye diseases;

Contraindications to taking this vitamin are present mainly from the side of the kidneys and liver: cirrhosis, kidney and liver failure, viral hepatitis. Also, with hypervitaminosis and hypersensitivity, vitamin A cannot be consumed.

How to take vitamin A capsules: instructions

The vitamin is taken both for the prevention of diseases and beriberi, and in addition to treatment. In this regard, a single dosage may differ. Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, it is taken orally after meals for better absorption.

Depending on the vitamin content in the capsule, age and indications for use, drink 1-5 capsules 2-3 times a day 15 minutes after eating. For prevention, they usually drink 1-2 tablets, the therapeutic dosage and duration of the course are prescribed by the attending physician. It is impossible to take a large amount of retinol on your own without a doctor's testimony.

The subtleties of the use of vitamin A

As mentioned above, this vitamin must be drunk after meals, because this way it is better absorbed and begins to act. In addition, it is important to take care of proper storage of capsules or oil solution, which must be kept in a cool place to avoid oxidation, and it is also important to eliminate the possibility of exposure to sunlight, which destroys the structure of vitamins.

It is necessary to take a dragee or solution strictly in accordance with the instructions or a medical prescription, as this is serious and overdoses are possible. With a contraindication to the use or hypervitaminosis, you can not drink vitamin A.

Side effects and overdose

An overdose of vitamin A is not a very common occurrence, however, quite unpleasant and dangerous. For the first time, such a phenomenon was observed among the inhabitants of the north in the 20th century, as they ate the liver of an animal, which contained this substance in excess. Physically, hypervitaminosis manifests itself in the following symptoms:

In case of an overdose, it is necessary to take vitamin D, which reduces the amount of vitamin A in the body.

Wash with plenty of drink too large a dose of the drug will not work, since it is not water soluble.

Interaction with other drugs

Vitamin A has good compatibility with most drugs and does not cause any special effects on their work, however, there are some categories of medicines with which its use is not desirable and harmful:

many medicines depressing effect on the liver, such as hepatoxins: flucostat, amidoran and many others; taking vitamin A will aggravate the destructive effect on the organ, therefore, for the duration of treatment with such drugs, retinol should be put aside;
taking antibiotics has a lot of contraindications, including, they are not combined with vitamin A;
retinol reduces the effects of drugs that improve blood clotting, removing their effect, so you can’t drink it during treatment; it is also contraindicated in hemophilia.

Vitamin A capsules: an overview

There are not too many capsule preparations containing liquid vitamin A. There are several Russian pharmacological companies that produce inexpensive dragees in convenient blister packs of 10 capsules, as well as foreign supplements with a high content of retinol:

capsules of retinol acetate "Lumi" - the most common red dragees in a gelatin shell with an oil core, each capsule contains 1.5 milligrams of the active substance dissolved in vegetable oil with a slight odor; the cost of a blister of 10 tablets is in the range of 6-10 rubles;
retinol acetate "Marbiopharm" - in addition to the usual oil solution, the company produces capsules with a retinol content of 33,000 IU each; the package contains 30 round light yellow dragees in a gelatin shell, inside which are sunflower oil and vitamin; packaging is designed for a monthly course; the price of the box is about 30 rubles;
a dietary supplement from the American company Now Foods has a cost of about 254 rubles, which is justified by the high content of retinol in each capsule, namely 3 milligrams, in a package of 100 capsules.

Be healthy!

You can also learn about the benefits of vitamin A from the following video.