A-Forte

A-Forte Soft Gelatin Capsule

Vitamin A

50000 IU

Globe Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Unit Price: ৳ 1.90 (100’s pack: ৳ 190.00)

Indications

Effective for:

• Vitamin A deficiency. Taking vitamin A by mouth is effective for preventing and treating symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency can occur in people with protein deficiency, diabetes, over-active thyroid, fever, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, or an inherited disorder called abetalipoproteinemia.

Possibly Effective for:

• Breast cancer. Premenopausal women with a family history of breast cancer who consume high levels of vitamin A in their diet seem to have reduced risk of developing breast cancer. It is not known if taking vitamin A supplements has the same benefit.
• Cataracts. Research suggests that high intake of vitamin A in the diet is linked to a lower risk of developing cataracts.
• Diarrhea related to HIV. Taking vitamin A along with conventional medicines seems to decrease the risk of death from diarrhea in HIV-positive children with vitamin A deficiency.
• Malaria. Taking vitamin A by mouth seems to decrease malaria symptoms in children less than 3 years-old living in areas where malaria is common.
• Measles. Taking vitamin A by mouth seems to reduce the risk of measles complications or death in children with measles and vitamin A deficiency.
• Precancerous lesions in the mouth (oral leukoplakia). Research suggests that taking vitamin A can help treat precancerous lesions in the mouth.
• Recovery from laser eye surgery (photoreactive keratectomy). Taking vitamin A by mouth along with vitamin E seems to improve healing after laser eye surgery.
• Complications after pregnancy. Taking vitamin A seems to reduce the risk of diarrhea and fever after pregnancy in malnourished women.
• Complications during pregnancy. Taking vitamin A by mouth seems to reduce the risk of death and night blindness during pregnancy in malnourished women.
• Eye disease affecting the retina (retinitis pigmentosa). Research suggests that taking vitamin A can slow the progression of an eye disease that causes damage to the retina.

Therapeutic Class

Vitamin-A preparations

Pharmacology

Vitamin A plays an essential role in the function of retina and is essential for growh and differentiation of epithelial tissue.

Dosage & Administration

Vitamin A deficiency For severe deficiency with corneal changes: 500,000 unit/day for 3 days, followed by 50,000 unit/day for 2 wk and then 10,000-20,000 unit/day for 2 mth as follow-up therapy.

For cases without corneal changes: 10,000-25,000 unit/day until clinical improvement occurs (usually 1 -2 wk).

Interaction

Decreased absorption with neomycin. Increased risk of hypervitaminosis A with synthetic retinoids eg, acitretin, isotretinoin and tretinoin. Increased risk of toxicity when used with alcohol.

Contraindications

Hypervitaminosis A; pregnancy (dose exceeding RDA).

Side Effects

Hypervitaminosis A characterised by fatigue, irritability, anorexia, weight loss, vomiting and other Gl disturbances, low-grade fever, hepatosplenomegaly, skin changes, alopoecia, dry hair, cracking and bleeding lips, SC swelling, nocturia, pains in bones and joints.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category A. Adequate and well-controlled human studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).

Precautions & Warnings

Cholestatic jaundice; fat-malabsorption conditions. Monitor patients closely for toxicity. Liver impairment and children.