Is it harmful?

Vitamin A may be harmful if someone takes too much (toxicity). Side-effects may vary and depend on what type of vitamin A is taken. For example, carotenoids found in foods are not toxic ^{(4, 9)}.

The recommended daily allowances (RDA) for vitamin A are: 1,000 IU for infants; 1,320 to 2,000 IU for children; and 700 to 1,300 IU for adults (depending on sex, age, and breast-feeding status) ^{(4, 9)}.

The upper limits (maximum daily dose) for vitamin A ^{(4, 9)} are: 2,000 IU for 0 to 3 years old; 3,000 IU for 4 to 8 years old; 5,610 IU for 9 to 13 years old; and 9,240 to 10,000 for adults.

Vitamin A in retinoid forms can lead to health problems when taken at doses above the recommended amount. The range between recommended dose and toxic dose is narrow for retinoid forms of vitamin A as compared to other vitamins.

Side effects of too much vitamin A include queasy stomach, yellowed skin (jaundice), moodiness, irritability, weight loss (anorexia), vomiting, blurry vision, headaches, hair loss, muscle and abdominal pain and weakness, drowsiness and altered mental status.

Check with your child’s pediatrician before starting treatment.