Vitamin A is found in foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, butter, fortified margarine, meat, liver, oily saltwater fish, grains, oils, carrots, squash, dark green and yellow vegetables, and fruits such as cantaloupe or apricots. Vitamin A is important for the eyes and skin, the immune system, and for normal growth.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is absorbed with fats in your diet and stored in your body's fatty tissue.

Vitamin A is used to treat vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A is possibly effective in preventing cataracts, or slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa (an eye disease that causes damage to the retina). Vitamin A is also possibly effective in preventing diarrhea in pregnant women who are malnourished.

Vitamin A may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

• a zinc or iron deficiency;
• celiac disease;
• kidney disease;
• liver problems such as cirrhosis or jaundice (yellow of the skin or eyes);
• anemia (low red blood cells);
• short gut syndrome;
• an infection in your intestines;
• cystic fibrosis;
• a pancreas disorder;
• if you are malnourished; or
• if your body does not absorb fats properly.

Do not use vitamin A without medical advice if you are pregnant. Although some vitamin A is needed for the normal development of a baby, vitamin A can cause birth defects if used in large doses. You may need to use a prenatal vitamin specially formulated for pregnant women.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different while you are nursing.

Use Vitamin A (A-25) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fever, sweating, unusual tiredness;
• mood changes;
• vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• changes in your menstrual periods;
• confusion or feeling irritable;
• double vision;
• bleeding gums, mouth pain;
• a seizure; or
• hair loss, peeling skin, cracked skin around your mouth, or skin discoloration.

Taking high doses of vitamin A may increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture, especially in older adults and postmenopausal women.

In children, high doses of vitamin A may cause:

• growth problems in a child;
• severe drowsiness, loss of consciousness;
• vision problems;
• fever, chills;
• cough with mucus, chest pain, trouble breathing;
• vomiting, diarrhea; or
• peeling skin.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking vitamin A.

Avoid taking more than one vitamin product at the same time unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid taking orlistat (alli, Xenical) or mineral oil while you are taking vitamin A.