Here are several ways you can avoid an overdose of vitamin A:
1) To supplement your body’s store of vitamin A, take carotene supplements instead of vitamin A supplements. Consult with your physician for his or her advice.
2) If you take a vitamin supplement, be sure you never exceed the RDA for vitamin A (see chapter 2) unless you have your doctor’s permission.
3) Don’t take vitamin A supplements if you are currently taking fish oil or cod liver oil supplements. Both of these contain large amounts of vitamin A, and the result could be an overdose. Because of their high level of vitamin A, you should use cod liver oil and other fish oil supplements only under a doctor’s supervision.
4) Don’t take vitamin A supplements if you are using birth control pills, unless you have your doctor’s permission. Some studies indicate that women taking birth control pills sometimes experience an increase in their levels of vitamin A.
5) You shouldn’t take vitamin A supplements if you are currently taking prescription drugs that are made from vitamin A. There are two drugs in use today which are derived from vitamin A— Accutane for acne and Tigason for psoriasis. Retin A is a vitamin A ointment which is used for smoothing out wrinkles in skin which has been damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun and aging.
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