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Vitamin A Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 21, 2025.

Applies to the following strengths: 10000 intl units; 25000 units; 50000 units/mL; 50000 units; 8000 units; 25000 intl units

Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin A Deficiency

Initial dose: 100,000 Units intramuscularly once a day for 3 days
Maintenance dose: 50,000 Units intramuscularly once a day for 2 weeks

Use: Treatment of vitamin A deficiency when oral administration is not feasible or not available (e.g. anorexia, nausea, vomiting, pre- or post-operative conditions, "Malabsorption Syndrome" with accompanying steatorrhea)

Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation

US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

Adult male: 900 mcg retinol activity equivalents (RAE) (3000 international units [IU])
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): 3000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU)

Adult female: 700 mcg RAE (2330 IU)
UL: 3000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU)

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vitamin A Deficiency

Infants (under 1 year): 7500 to 15,000 Units intramuscularly once a day
Duration of therapy: 10 days

1 to 8 years: 17,500 to 35,000 Units intramuscularly once a day
Duration of therapy: 10 days

Adult dose:
Initial dose: 100,000 Units intramuscularly once a day for 3 days
Maintenance dose: 50,000 Units intramuscularly once a day for 2 weeks

Use: Treatment of vitamin A deficiency when oral administration is not feasible or not available (e.g. anorexia, nausea, vomiting, pre- or post-operative conditions, "Malabsorption Syndrome" with accompanying steatorrhea)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation

US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

0 to 6 months: 400 mcg retinol activity equivalents (RAE) (1332 international units [IU])
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): 600 mcg RAE (2000 IU)

7 to 12 months: 500 mcg RAE (1665 IU)
UL: 600 mcg RAE (2000 IU)

1 to 3 years: 300 mcg RAE (1000 IU)
UL: 900 mcg RAE (3000 IU)

4 to 8 years: 400 mcg RAE (1332 IU)
UL: 900 mcg RAE (3000 IU)

9 to 13 years: 600 mcg RAE (2000 IU)
UL: 1700 mcg RAE (5667 IU)

14 to 18 years, male: 900 mcg RAE (3000 IU)
UL: 2800 mcg RAE (9333 IU)

14 to 18 years, female: 700 mcg RAE (2330 IU)
UL: 2800 mcg RAE (9333 IU)

Comments:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Dose Adjustments

US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

Pregnancy:
14 to 18 years: 750 mcg retinol activity equivalents (RAE) (2500 international units [IU])
UL: 2800 mcg RAE (9333 IU)

18 to 50 years: 770 mcg RAE (2564 IU)
UL: 3000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU)

Lactation:
14 to 18 years: 1200 mcg RAE (2564 IU)
UL: 2800 mcg RAE (9333 IU)

18 to 50 years: 1300 mcg RAE (4329 IU)
UL: 3000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU)

Comments:

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:


Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Frequently asked questions

See also:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.