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[Long Shanks]

I've recently started taking Vitamin A supplements. These ones to be exact. I am taking 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening, so 32,000 iu in total per day. I was wondering if it is safe to take this amount? I hear there can be problems with the kidney if you take too much. I've been taking that amount now for 1 week and was going to carry the same on for another week, then reduce it!

Has anyone got any experience in taking vitamin a supplements? Would be great to hear what others have done! I'm also taking minocycline and was wondering if this could be a problem!?

[greentiger87]

I've recently started taking Vitamin A supplements. These ones to be exact. I am taking 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening, so 32,000 iu in total per day. I was wondering if it is safe to take this amount? I hear there can be problems with the kidney if you take too much. I've been taking that amount now for 1 week and was going to carry the same on for another week, then reduce it!

Has anyone got any experience in taking vitamin a supplements? Would be great to hear what others have done! I'm also taking minocycline and was wondering if this could be a problem!?

YES that's a problem. Accutane medication guides specifically state that you should not take tetracycline type antibiotics while on the drug, because it increases the likelihood of certain side effects (pseudotumor cerebri in particular). The same interaction will occur with high dose vitamin A. You need to either immediately stop taking the minocycline, or more preferably - stop taking the supplemental vitamin A.

Estimations of what a "safe" level of Vitamin A supplementation vary on the board, but from a strict science standpoint - you shouldn't be getting more than 10,000 IU a day, including what you get in food. In fact, unless you're vitamin A deficient, you shouldn't be taking high dose pre-formed vitamin A supplements at all. Beta-carotene is a much safer choice, though it won't have the effect on acne that you'd like.

Edited by greentiger87, 17 January 2011 - 06:04 PM.