Therapeutic action
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 000IU 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.
- Over dosage 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 routinely2 doses (on D1 and D2) to children suffering from measles to prevent the complications of measles.
Storage
– Below 25 °C