Vitamin A Palmitate
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Aquasol A
- Brand Names
- Aquasol A
- Route
- INTRAMUSCULAR
- Dosage Form
- INJECTION, SOLUTION
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
DESCRIPTION AQUASOL A TM Parenteral (water-miscible vitamin A Palmitate) provides 50,000 USP Units of vitamin A per mL as retinol (C 20 H 30 O) in the form of vitamin A palmitate, a light yellow to amber oil. Contains 0.5% chlorobutanol as preservative; 12% polysorbate 80, 0.1% citric acid, and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. The structural formula of retinol is: Ordinarily oil-soluble, the vitamin A in this product has been water solubilized by special processing* and is available in a water solution for intramuscular injection. One USP Unit is equivalent to one international unit (IU) and to 0.3 mcg of retinol or 0.6 mcg of betacarotene. Structural Formula for AQUASOL
What Is Vitamin A Palmitate Used For?
INDICATIONS Vitamin A injection is effective for the treatment of vitamin A deficiency. The parenteral administration is indicated when the oral administration is not feasible as in anorexia, nausea, vomiting, pre- and postoperative conditions, or it is not available as in the "Malabsorption Syndrome" with accompanying steatorrhea. Pediatric Use: Vitamin A treatment for deficiency states has been recognized as an especially effective and important therapy in the pediatric population. Vitamin A supplementation for deficiency states in this population has been addressed by the Committee on Clinical Practice Issues of the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and by the World Health Organization.
Dosage and Administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intramuscular use. I. Adults 100,000 Units daily for three days followed by 50,000 Units daily for two weeks. II. Pediatric patients 1 to 8 years old 17,500 to 35,000 Units daily for 10 days. III. Infants 7,500 to 15,000 Units daily for 10 days. Follow-up therapy with an oral therapeutic multivitamin preparation, containing 10,000 to 20,000 Units vitamin A for adults and for pediatric patients over 8 years old, and 5,000 to 10,000 Units for infants and other pediatric patients under 8 years old, is recommended daily for two months. Low birth-weight infants may require additional vitamin A though the exact dosing in these pediatric patients has not been established. In malabsorption, the parenteral route must be used for an equivalent preparation. Poor dietary habits should be corrected and an abundant and well-balanced dietary intake should be prescribed.
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
ADVERSE REACTIONS See OVERDOSAGE section. Anaphylactic shock and death have been reported using the intravenous route. Allergic reactions have been reported rarely with administration of AQUASOL A TM Parenteral including one case of an anaphylactoid type reaction.
Warnings and Precautions
WARNINGS Avoid overdosage. Keep out of the reach of children. Pediatric Use: Polysorbates have been associated with E-Ferol syndrome (thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, hepatomegaly, cholestasis, ascites, hypotension and metabolic acidosis) in low birthweight infants.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS The intravenous administration. Hypervitaminosis A. Sensitivity to any of the ingredients in this preparation. Use in Pregnancy: Safety of amounts exceeding 6,000 Units of vitamin A daily during pregnancy has not been established at this time. The use of vitamin A in excess of the recommended dietary allowance may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Animal reproduction studies have shown fetal abnormalities associated with overdosage in several species. Malformations of the central nervous system, the eye, the palate, and the urogenital tract are recorded. Vitamin A in excess of the recommended dietary allowance is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. If vitamin A is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking vitamin A, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Overdosage
OVERDOSAGE The following amounts have been found to be toxic orally. Toxicity manifestations depend on the age, dosage, size, and duration of administration. Acute toxicity — single dose (25,000 Units/kg body weight) Infant: 350,000 Units Adult: Over 2 million Units Chronic toxicity (4,000 Units/kg body weight for 6 to 15 months) Infants 3 to 6 months old: 18,500 Units (water dispersed)/day for 1 to 3 months. Adult: 1 million Units daily for three days; 50,000 Units daily for longer than 18 months; 500,000 Units daily for two months. Hypervitaminosis A Syndrome: 1. General manifestations: Fatigue, malaise, lethargy, abdominal discomfort, anorexia, and vomiting. 2. Specific manifestations: a. Skeletal: hepatotoxicity, hard tender cortical thickening over the radius and tibia, migratory arthralgia, slow growth, and premature closure of the epiphysis leading to arrested bone growth in children. b. Central Nervous System: irritability, headache, and increased intracranial pressure as manifested by bulging fontanels, papilledema, and exophthalmos. c. Dermatologic: fissures of the lips, drying and cracking of the skin, alopecia, scaling, massive desquamation, and increased pigmentation. d. Systemic: hypomenorrhea, hepatosplenomegaly, hepatotoxicity, jaundice, leukopenia, vitamin A plasma level over 1,200 Units/100 mL. The treatment of hypervitaminosis A consists of immediate withdrawal of the vitamin along with symptomatic and supportive treatment.
How Supplied
HOW SUPPLIED AQUASOL A TM Parenteral (water-miscible vitamin A Palmitate) is available as: Unit of Sale Concentration Each NDC 70199-026-11 Carton of 1 50,000 USP units/mL (15 mg retinol/mL) NDC 70199-026-11 2 mL Single-dose vial Store at 2–8°C (36–46°F). Do not freeze. PIB02611-01 Revised:10/2019
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.