Vitamins
Vitamin A (retinol)
Also called: retinyl palmitate, retinol, beta-carotene
A fat-soluble vitamin for vision, skin and immunity. Beta-carotene from plants is turned into vitamin A as needed.
- Why people take it
- Eyesight, skin and immunity, and in places where deficiency is common.
- What the evidence says
- Helps people who are deficient, especially children in low-income countries. Little benefit for well-fed adults.
- How it is usually taken
- Capsules or drops; adult upper limit is 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU) of retinol a day from all sources. Beta-carotene from carrots, mango and leafy greens is the safer way to get it.
- Be careful
- Too much retinol is toxic to the liver and causes birth defects: pregnant women should not take high doses. Beta-carotene supplements raise lung cancer risk in smokers.
- Medicines it can interact with
- Do not combine with isotretinoin, acitretin or other retinoid medicines. High doses add to liver risk with other liver-affecting medicines.
Other vitamins
Common questions
What is Vitamin A?
A fat-soluble vitamin for vision, skin and immunity. Beta-carotene from plants is turned into vitamin A as needed.
Why do people take Vitamin A?
Eyesight, skin and immunity, and in places where deficiency is common.
Does Vitamin A work?
Helps people who are deficient, especially children in low-income countries. Little benefit for well-fed adults.
How much Vitamin A do people take?
Capsules or drops; adult upper limit is 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU) of retinol a day from all sources. Beta-carotene from carrots, mango and leafy greens is the safer way to get it.
Is Vitamin A safe?
Too much retinol is toxic to the liver and causes birth defects: pregnant women should not take high doses. Beta-carotene supplements raise lung cancer risk in smokers.
Does Vitamin A interact with medicines?
Do not combine with isotretinoin, acitretin or other retinoid medicines. High doses add to liver risk with other liver-affecting medicines.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.
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