Dosages of Vitamin A:
Adult and pediatric
Capsule
- 7,500 U
- 8,000 U
- 10,000 U
- 25,000 U
Injectable solution
- 50,000 U/ml
Tablet
- 10,000 U
- 15,000 U
Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Described as retinol activity equivalent (RAE)
- 1 RAE = Retinol 1 mcg
Adults:
- Males: 900 mcg per day (3,000 units per day)
Females:
- 700 mcg per day (2330 units per day)
- Older than 18 years pregnant: 750-770 mcg per day (2,500-2,600 units per day)
- Older than 18 years breastfeeding: 1300 mcg retinol activity equivalent (4330 units per day)
Pediatrics:
- Infants 0-6 months: 400 mcg/day retinol activity equivalent (1,333 units per day)
- Infants 6-12 months: 500 mcg/day retinol activity equivalent (1,666 units per day)
- Children 1-3 years: 300 mcg/day retinol activity equivalent (1,000 units per day)
- Children 3-8 years: 400 mcg/day retinol activity equivalent (1,333 units per day)
- Children 8-13 years: 600 mcg/day retinol activity equivalent (2,000 units per day)
- Children 13-18 years: 900 mcg/day retinol activity equivalent (3,000 units per day)
Upper Intake Levels
Adults:
- Older than 18 years: 3,000 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (10,000 units per day)
- During pregnancy: 3,000 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (10,000 units per day)
- Lactation: 3,000 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (10,000 units per day)
Pediatrics:
- Children 0-3 years: 600 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (2,000 units per day)
- Children 3-8 years: 900 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (3,000 units per day)
- Children 8-13 years: 1,700 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (5,667 units per day)
- Children 13-18 years, pregnant: 2,800 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (9,333 units per day)
- Children 13-18 years, breastfeeding: 2,800 mcg per day retinol activity equivalent (9,333 units per day)
Vitamin A Deficiency
Adults:
- Malabsorption or oral administration not feasible: 100,000 units per day injected intramuscularly for 3 days; then 50,000 units per day for 2 weeks, to be followed with oral therapy
- Oral therapy: take an oral therapeutic multivitamin containing 10,000-20,000 units per day of vitamin A for 2 months
- Deficiency prophylaxis: 10,000-50,000 units orally once per day
Pediatrics:
- Use intermuscular route when oral administration is not possible or in malabsorption syndrome
- Infants: 7,500-15,000 units per day for 15 days
- Children 1-8 years: 17,500-35,000 units per day for 10 days
- Children 8 years and older:
- Malabsorption or oral administration not feasible: 100,000 units per day, intramuscular for 3 days, then 50,000 units per day for 2 weeks; follow with oral therapy
- Oral therapy: take an oral therapeutic multivitamin containing 10,000-20,000 units of daily vitamin A for 2 months
- Deficiency prophylaxis: 10,000-50,000 units orally once per day
Xerophthalmia (off label)
Adults:
- Recommended dose except for females of reproductive age: 200,000 units orally once daily for 2 days. Repeat dose again after 2 weeks
- Females of reproductive age with night blindness or Bitot’s spots: 5,000-10,000 units per day; 10,000 units per day maximum of 25,000 units once weekly for no more than 4 weeks
Pediatrics:
- Infants under 6 months: 50,000 units once per day for 2 days, repeat once with single-dose after 2 weeks
- Infants 6-12 months: 100,000 units once per day for 2 days, repeat with single-dose after 2 weeks
- Children over 12 months, except females of reproductive age: 200,000 units once per day for 2 days, repeat with a single dose after 2 weeks
- Females of reproductive age with night blindness or Bitot’s spots: 5,000-10,000 units per day, 10,000 units per day with a maximum of 25,000 units once weekly for no more than 4 weeks
Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:
- None.