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Vitamin A
Vitamin A acts as a ligand for nuclear retinoid receptors, regulating gene expression involved in vision, immune function, and cellular differentiation.
Vitamin A acts as a ligand for nuclear retinoid receptors, regulating gene expression involved in vision, immune function, and cellular differentiation. Used for Vitamin A deficiency, Measles (adjunctive therapy in deficient populations), Xerophthalmia and night blindness.
At a glance
| Generic name | Vitamin A |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, vitamin A palmitate eye gel, Retinol Palmitate, vitamin A (retinol palmitate) oral, 48,000 IU |
| Sponsor | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
| Drug class | Essential micronutrient; retinoid |
| Target | Retinoid X receptor (RXR), Retinoic acid receptor (RAR) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Nutritional deficiency; Immunology; Ophthalmology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Vitamin A (retinol) is converted to its active forms, retinal and retinoic acid, which bind to retinoid X receptors (RXR) and retinoic acid receptors (RAR) in cell nuclei. These receptor-ligand complexes modulate transcription of genes critical for visual cycle function, immune cell development and function, epithelial cell differentiation, and antioxidant defense. Vitamin A deficiency impairs these processes, particularly affecting vision and immune competence.
Approved indications
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Measles (adjunctive therapy in deficient populations)
- Xerophthalmia and night blindness
- Support of immune function
Common side effects
- Hypervitaminosis A (toxicity at excessive doses)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Skin irritation (topical formulations)
- Teratogenicity (at high doses in pregnancy)
Key clinical trials
- Efficacy and Safety of Millet Seed Extract in Telogen Effluvium Treatment (NA)
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Safety and Tolerability Evaluation of CTAP101 Extended-release Capsules in Pediatric Participants (PHASE2)
- Toddler Biomarker of Nutrition Study (NA)
- Dinutuximab With Chemotherapy, Surgery and Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Children With Newly Diagnosed High Risk Neuroblastoma (PHASE3)
- Lenalidomide and Dinutuximab With or Without Isotretinoin in Treating Younger Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Neuroblastoma (PHASE1)
- The Acute Effects of Onnit Alpha Brain on Cognition and Mood States (NA)
- The Body's Affect on Vitamin C (PHASE1)
- OPTIA-AF Trial: Rhythm-Guided Antithrombotic Strategy After AF Ablation (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Vitamin A CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Vitamin A updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) portfolio CI