Retinyl Palmitate
Pronunciation: (RET-in-il PAL-mih-tate).
- Generic name
- Retinyl palmitate
- Brand names
- Palmitate A, Vita-A, Vita A, Aquasol A, Retino-A, Retinol Palmitate
- Drug class
- Dermatology
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country:
Australia: · Full directory
What Retinyl palmitate is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Retinyl palmitate works
Retinyl palmitate is an ester of retinol (vitamin A) and palmitic acid. After oral or topical administration, it is hydrolyzed to retinol, which is then oxidized to retinal and retinoic acid. These active metabolites are essential for vision (as a component of rhodopsin), immune function, epithelial cell integrity, and gene transcription regulation. (1)
What Retinyl palmitate is used for
Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency
Xerophthalmia
Xerophthalmia
Acne
Acne
Psoriasis
Psoriasis
Skin aging
Skin aging
Before taking Retinyl palmitate
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to vitamin A, hypervitaminosis A, or severe liver disease. (Contraindication)
- High doses are teratogenic and contraindicated in pregnancy unless treating deficiency. (Contraindication)
Tell your clinician about
How to take Retinyl palmitate
- General Instructions: Take retinyl palmitate exactly as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose. It can be taken with or without food.. Adult Dosing: Typical adult dose for vitamin A deficiency: 25,000–50,000 IU orally daily, adjusted based on clinical response and laboratory values.. Pediatric Dosing: Children: Dose varies by age and indication. For deficiency, 5,000–25,000 IU orally daily. Consult a pediatrician for precise dosing.. Administration: Swallow capsules or tablets whole with water. For oral drops, use the dropper provided. Topical forms should be applied to clean, dry skin as directed.. When To Seek Review: Contact your prescriber promptly if you develop signs of toxicity or as advised by your healthcare provider, and let them advise on whether to continue.. Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, contact your prescriber or pharmacist for guidance on the missed dose. do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose include severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, and irritability. Seek emergency medical attention if overdose is suspected.
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Dry skin
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Peeling skin
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Redness
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Itching
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Photosensitivity
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Birth defects (if taken orally during pregnancy)
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Liver damage (with high oral doses)
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serious warnings
High doses can cause vitamin A toxicity — serious
Symptoms: High doses can cause vitamin A toxicity. Use with caution in liver disease. Monitor for signs of overdose. Not recommended for routine use in pregnancy. May interact with other medications and supplements.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated.
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to vitamin A, hypervitaminosis A, or severe liver disease. Use with caution in renal impairment, alcoholism, and in the elderly. High doses are teratogenic and contraindicated in pregnancy unless treating deficiency.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated.
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Retinyl palmitate may interact with other retinoids, tetracycline antibiotics (increased risk of intracranial hypertension), cholestyramine (may reduce absorption), and orlistat (may decrease vitamin A absorption). Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you are taking. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) fact sheet reviewed for this page, high-dose preformed vitamin A (retinyl palmitate/retinol, as opposed to beta-carotene) is teratogenic and can cause birth defects when taken in excess during pregnancy; pregnant women should not exceed the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 3,000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU) per day from all sources and should use only the amount their prescriber or prenatal vitamin recommends for treating a diagnosed deficiency.
Breastfeeding
The NIH ODS fact sheet reviewed for this page states vitamin A requirements are increased during breastfeeding (recommended intake around 1,300 mcg RAE/day) to support the infant's supply via breast milk, but intake should still stay within the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 3,000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU) per day from all sources combined; discuss any supplement dose with a healthcare provider.
Children
Frequency: Not applicable.. Weight Based: Not recommended for pediatric use.. Max Daily Dose: Not applicable.. Max Single Dose: Not applicable.. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children.
Renal_impairment
The manufacturer labeling and the NIH ODS fact sheet reviewed for this page do not provide a specific reduced-dose regimen for renal or hepatic impairment. Because vitamin A is stored in and metabolized by the liver, and toxicity (hypervitaminosis A) is a liver-related risk, the clinician-authored database record notes retinyl palmitate is contraindicated in severe liver disease and should be used with caution in renal impairment and alcoholism — dosing in these conditions should be individualized by the prescriber rather than following a general figure.
Hepatic_impairment
The manufacturer labeling and the NIH ODS fact sheet reviewed for this page do not provide a specific reduced-dose regimen for renal or hepatic impairment. Because vitamin A is stored in and metabolized by the liver, and toxicity (hypervitaminosis A) is a liver-related risk, the clinician-authored database record notes retinyl palmitate is contraindicated in severe liver disease and should be used with caution in renal impairment and alcoholism — dosing in these conditions should be individualized by the prescriber rather than following a general figure.
Monitoring
Storage
Store at room temperature (generally 20-25 degrees C / 68-77 degrees F), away from moisture, heat, and direct light, and out of reach of children, consistent with standard vitamin-supplement storage guidance; follow the specific product label, as formulations vary by manufacturer.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Vitamin A deficiency
Dose summary: Per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: adult Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 900 mcg RAE/day (about 3,000 IU) for men and 700 mcg RAE/day (about 2,330 IU) for women; the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for preformed vitamin A (retinyl palmitate/retinol) is 3,000 mcg RAE/day (10,000 IU) for adults from all sources combined. Therapeutic doses for diagnosed deficiency (e.g., 25,000-50,000 IU/day, as recorded in the clinician database) exceed this UL and should be used only under medical supervision with monitoring, not as routine supplementation.
Renal context: Neither the manufacturer labeling nor the NIH ODS fact sheet reviewed for this page provides a specific renal-impairment dosage adjustment for retinyl palmitate. The clinician-authored database record advises general caution and closer monitoring in renal impairment; dosing above the standard RDA in this population should be individualized by the prescriber. (1)
Frequently asked questions
What is retinyl palmitate used for?
Retinyl palmitate is used to prevent and treat vitamin A deficiency, support eye health, and in some topical products for skin health.
Is retinyl palmitate safe during pregnancy?
High doses of retinyl palmitate are not recommended during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects. Use only under medical supervision.
What are signs of vitamin A toxicity?
Symptoms include severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, irritability, and skin changes. Seek medical attention if these occur.
Can I take retinyl palmitate with other supplements?
Avoid taking additional vitamin A supplements unless directed by your doctor to prevent overdose.
How should I store retinyl palmitate?
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
Are there any foods I should avoid while taking retinyl palmitate?
Avoid foods or supplements high in vitamin A to reduce the risk of toxicity.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose. do not take an extra dose.
What happens if I take too much Retinyl palmitate?
Taking too much Retinyl palmitate can lead to hypervitaminosis A, characterized by symptoms such as dry skin, joint pain, fatigue, and liver damage. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening. If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate emergency medical attention or contact poison control. Do not attempt to self-treat an overdose.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Retinyl palmitate?
While there isn't a direct contraindication, excessive alcohol consumption can exacerbate liver toxicity, a potential concern with high doses of vitamin A derivatives. Alcohol can also interfere with the absorption and metabolism of retinoids. It is generally advisable to limit or avoid alcohol intake and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure safe and effective treatment.
What is the mechanism of action of Retinyl palmitate?
Retinyl palmitate is an ester of retinol (vitamin A) and palmitic acid. After oral or topical administration, it is hydrolyzed to retinol, which is then oxidized to retinal and retinoic acid. These active metabolites are essential for vision (as a component of rhodopsin), immune function, epithelial cell integrity, and gene transcription regulation. (1)
What is the generic name of Retinyl Palmitate?
The generic name is Retinyl palmitate. It is sold under brand names including Palmitate A, Vita-A, Vita A, Aquasol A, Retino-A, Retinol Palmitate.
What class of drug is Retinyl palmitate?
Retinyl Palmitate is classed as: Dermatology.
References
- Retinyl Palmitate — Prescribing Informationgap: not provided in research notes · gap: not provided · dated gap: not provided · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 1
- AQUASOL A PARENTERAL (WATER-MISCIBLE RETINYL PALMITATE) INJECTION, SOLUTION [RISING PHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
- AQUASOL A Parenteral — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA NDA006823)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- Retinyl palmitate — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 1356759)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Retinyl palmitate names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.