Sign Out
Acute or chronic overdose of vitamins (in particular A, B6, D, and E) can cause symptomatic hypervitaminosis.
Clinical signs of acute overdose of vitamin A (doses exceeding 150,000 IU): Gastrointestinal disorders, headache, raised intracranial pressure (swollen fontanelle in infants), papilloedema, psychiatric disorders, irritability, or even convulsions, delayed generalized desquamation.
Clinical signs of chronic intoxication (prolonged vitamin A supplementation with supra-physiological doses in non‐deficient subjects): Liver disorders, raised intracranial pressure, cortical hyperostosis of long bones and premature epiphyseal fusion, cephalitis, pruritus, vomiting, dryness of mucous membranes. The diagnosis is generally based on the presence of tender or painful subcutaneous swellings in the extremities of the limbs. X‐rays demonstrate diaphyseal periosteal thickening of the ulna, fibula, clavicles and ribs.
The risk of overdose is particularly high if a patient receives vitamins from multiple sources and overall supplementation of a vitamin does not match the patient's individual requirements, and in patients with increased susceptibility to hypervitaminosis.
Actions to be taken in the event of acute or chronic overdose: Stop administration of CERNEVIT, reduce calcium intake, increase diuresis and rehydrate.
