Medications That May Deplete VITAMIN A
Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, and skin health. See which medications carry a reported association, how strong the evidence is, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, and skin health.
Common food sources: Liver and fish oils; Dairy and eggs; Orange and yellow vegetables (as beta-carotene); Leafy greens.
Ask your provider before supplementing vitamin A — status testing is not routine, and intake from food plus multivitamins is often already adequate.
Caution: Avoid high-dose vitamin A in pregnancy or when trying to conceive unless a clinician directs it.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education. The medication records below are licensed clinical data, shown as published.
Deep dive: Vitamin A — uses, safety & drug interactions
Medications associated with VITAMIN A depletion
Each record is shown as published in our licensed clinical database. Open a medication for its full nutrient report.
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Mineral Oil
Insignificant DepletionBrand names include Kondremul Plain
Mineral oil has been reported to reduce absorption of all fat-soluble vitamins. However, there was no change in serum vitamin A levels in children who used mineral oil for up to four months. Mineral oil should not be used on a regular basis due to its side effects; however, its effect on vitamin A levels with occasional use is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Vitamin A is a nutrient your eyes, immune system, and skin depend on, and because it is fat-soluble, it travels through your gut hitched to dietary fat. Mineral oil is not digested or absorbed, so when it moves through the intestines it can carry fat-soluble vitamins along with it and limit how much your body picks up. That said, studies in children who used mineral oil for several months showed no real drop in vitamin A levels, and the overall evidence rates this as insignificant for most people. Since mineral oil is not meant for regular long-term use anyway, occasional use is very unlikely to be a concern, but if you have questions about your situation, your pharmacist or doctor is a great starting point.
References (3)
- Hathcock JN. Metabolic mechanisms of drug-nutrient interactions. Fed Proc 1985;44:124-9.
- Becker GL. The case against mineral oil. Am J Digestive Dis 1952;19:344-8. PubMed
- Clark JH, Russell GJ, Fitzgerald JF, et al. Serum beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol levels during mineral oil therapy for constipation. Am J Dis Child 1987;141:1210-2.
Neomycin
Insignificant DepletionBrand names include Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Myciguent
Neomycin can bind and precipitate fatty acids and bile acids in the gut, reducing fat absorption. There is limited evidence that this can affect fat-soluble vitamin absorption. Single doses of neomycin reduced absorption of large doses (300,000 units) of vitamin A given concurrently. However, there was no change in serum vitamin A levels in adults who took neomycin 1-2 grams/day for 18 weeks for treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia. It's unlikely that neomycin will cause clinically significant vitamin A depletion.
Vitamin A is something your eyes, immune system, and skin all depend on, and it happens to be a fat-soluble nutrient, meaning your gut needs to absorb it along with dietary fat. Neomycin can interfere with how fat is absorbed in the intestine by latching onto bile acids, which are the compounds that help your gut digest fat in the first place. Because of that, there is a theoretical path by which neomycin could nudge vitamin A absorption down a little. That said, studies in people taking neomycin over several months showed no meaningful drop in blood vitamin A levels, so the evidence rates this as insignificant for most patients. No action is needed for the vast majority of people, but if you have concerns or take neomycin long-term, a quick conversation with your pharmacist is always a reasonable step.
References (2)
- Barrowman JA, Broomhall J, Cannon AM, et al. Impairment of vitamin A absorption by neomycin. Clin Sci 1972;42:17P. PubMed
- Schade RWB, van't Laar A, Majoor CLH, Jansen AP. A comparative study of the effects of cholestyramine and neomycin in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Acta Med Scand 1976;199:175-80..
Polymyxin B , Neomycin
Insignificant DepletionBrand names include Neosporin G.U. Irrigant
Neomycin can bind and precipitate fatty acids and bile acids in the gut, reducing fat absorption. There is limited evidence that this can affect fat-soluble vitamin absorption. Single doses of neomycin reduced absorption of large doses (300,000 units) of vitamin A given concurrently. However, there was no change in serum vitamin A levels in adults who took neomycin 1-2 grams/day for 18 weeks for treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia. It's unlikely that neomycin will cause clinically significant vitamin A depletion.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient your body uses for healthy vision, immune function, and skin. Neomycin, one of the antibiotics in this combination, can interfere with how your gut absorbs fats by binding to bile acids in the digestive tract, and since vitamin A travels alongside fat, absorption could theoretically take a small hit. That said, studies in people taking neomycin regularly for months showed no meaningful drop in vitamin A blood levels, so this is considered an insignificant concern for most patients. No action is needed for the average person, but if you have questions about your nutritional status, your pharmacist or doctor is a great place to start.
References (2)
- Barrowman JA, Broomhall J, Cannon AM, et al. Impairment of vitamin A absorption by neomycin. Clin Sci 1972;42:17P. PubMed
- Schade RWB, van't Laar A, Majoor CLH, Jansen AP. A comparative study of the effects of cholestyramine and neomycin in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Acta Med Scand 1976;199:175-80..
Cholestyramine
Moderate DepletionBrand names include Questran
By reducing absorption of dietary fats, cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) may also reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A. Some studies have reported a fall in serum vitamin A levels, but they rarely fall below the normal range with therapy of up to 2 years' duration. Since some of the vitamin A in plasma is carried on lipids, part of this fall in plasma vitamin A levels may be due to decreased plasma lipid levels. Other studies have reported no change in plasma vitamin A levels with colestipol, up to 30 grams/day for 6 months, or cholestyramine 12 to 24 grams/day for up to 10 years. Routine vitamin A supplements aren't necessary in people taking bile acid sequestrants, but check vitamin A levels in people taking high doses for more than 2 years. For information on foods that are rich in vitamin A, see our chart.
Vitamin A supports your vision, immune system, and skin, and cholestyramine can make it harder for your body to absorb it. This medication works by binding bile acids in your gut to lower cholesterol, but that process also disrupts how dietary fats are absorbed, and vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that hitches a ride on those fats. The good news is that most people taking cholestyramine do not develop a true deficiency, and studies show levels rarely drop below the normal range. If you have been on a high dose for more than two years, though, it is worth asking your doctor or pharmacist whether checking your vitamin A level makes sense.
References (8)
- West RJ, Lloyd JK. The effect of cholestyramine on intestinal absorption. Gut 1975;16:93-8. PubMed
- Elinder LS, Hadell K, Johansson J, et al. Probucol treatment decreases serum concentrations of diet-derived antioxidants. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1995;15:1057-63. PubMed
- Schwarz KB, Goldstein PD, Witztum JL, et al. Fat-soluble vitamin concentrations in hypercholestrolemic children treated with colestipol. Pediatrics 1980;65:243-50.
- Tonstad S, Silverstein M, Aksnes L, Ose L. Low dose colestipol in adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia. Arch Dis Child 1996;74:157-60.
- Schade RWB, van't Laar A, Majoor CLH, Jansen AP. A comparative study of the effects of cholestyramine and neomycin in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Acta Med Scand 1976;199:175-80..
- Glueck CJ, Tsang RC, Fallat RW, Scheel D. Plasma vitamin A and E levels in children with familial type II hyperlipoproteinemia during therapy with diet and cholestyramine resin. Pediatrics 1974;54:51-5.. DOI
- Probstfield JL, Lin TL, Peters J, Hunninghake DB. Carotenoids and vitamin A: the effect of hypocholesterolemic agents on serum levels. Metabolism 1985;34:88-91. PubMed
- Lipid Research Clinics Program. The Lipid Research Clinics' Coronary Primary Prevention Trial Results: 1. Reduction in incidence of coronary heart disease. JAMA 1984;251:351-64. DOI
Colestipol
Moderate DepletionBrand names include Colestid
By reducing absorption of dietary fats, cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) may also reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A. Some studies have reported a fall in serum vitamin A levels, but they rarely fall below the normal range with therapy of up to 2 years' duration. Since some of the vitamin A in plasma is carried on lipids, part of this fall in plasma vitamin A levels may be due to decreased plasma lipid levels. Other studies have reported no change in plasma vitamin A levels with colestipol, up to 30 grams/day for 6 months, or cholestyramine 12 to 24 grams/day for up to 10 years. Routine vitamin A supplements aren't necessary in people taking bile acid sequestrants, but check vitamin A levels in people taking high doses for more than 2 years. For information on foods that are rich in vitamin A, see our chart.
Vitamin A supports your vision, immune system, and skin, and colestipol may nudge levels down a bit because it works in the gut by trapping bile acids, which indirectly reduces how well your body absorbs fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin A along the way. The research is mixed though, and levels rarely drop below the normal range, even after a couple of years of use. Most people on colestipol do not need a vitamin A supplement, but if you have been on a higher dose for more than two years, it is worth asking your doctor or pharmacist whether checking your levels makes sense.
References (8)
- West RJ, Lloyd JK. The effect of cholestyramine on intestinal absorption. Gut 1975;16:93-8. PubMed
- Elinder LS, Hadell K, Johansson J, et al. Probucol treatment decreases serum concentrations of diet-derived antioxidants. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1995;15:1057-63. PubMed
- Schwarz KB, Goldstein PD, Witztum JL, et al. Fat-soluble vitamin concentrations in hypercholestrolemic children treated with colestipol. Pediatrics 1980;65:243-50.
- Tonstad S, Silverstein M, Aksnes L, Ose L. Low dose colestipol in adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia. Arch Dis Child 1996;74:157-60.
- Schade RWB, van't Laar A, Majoor CLH, Jansen AP. A comparative study of the effects of cholestyramine and neomycin in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Acta Med Scand 1976;199:175-80..
- Glueck CJ, Tsang RC, Fallat RW, Scheel D. Plasma vitamin A and E levels in children with familial type II hyperlipoproteinemia during therapy with diet and cholestyramine resin. Pediatrics 1974;54:51-5.. DOI
- Probstfield JL, Lin TL, Peters J, Hunninghake DB. Carotenoids and vitamin A: the effect of hypocholesterolemic agents on serum levels. Metabolism 1985;34:88-91. PubMed
- Lipid Research Clinics Program. The Lipid Research Clinics' Coronary Primary Prevention Trial Results: 1. Reduction in incidence of coronary heart disease. JAMA 1984;251:351-64. DOI
Orlistat
Moderate DepletionBrand names include Xenical, Alli
Orlistat can decrease absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamin A, leading to low plasma levels in some patients. Several studies suggest that vitamin A is not affected as much by orlistat as some other fat-soluble vitamins. However, the manufacturer of orlistat recommends that all patients take a multivitamin supplement containing all the fat-soluble vitamins, separating the dosing time by at least 2 hours from orlistat.
Orlistat works by blocking your gut from absorbing dietary fat, and unfortunately that same process can reduce how well your body takes in fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, which your eyes, immune system, and skin all depend on. Research suggests vitamin A tends to be less affected than some other fat-soluble vitamins with orlistat, but levels can still dip in some people over time. Because of this moderate concern, the maker of orlistat recommends taking a daily multivitamin that includes vitamin A, timed at least two hours apart from your orlistat dose. It is worth asking your pharmacist or doctor whether a multivitamin makes sense for you.
References (5)
- Roche, Inc. Xenical package insert. Nutley, NJ. May 1999.
- Melia AT, Koss-Twardy SG, Zhi J. The effect of orlistat, an inhibitor of dietary fat absorption, on the absorption of vitamins A and E in healthy volunteers. J Clin Pharmacol 1996;36:647-53. PubMed
- McDuffie JR, Calis KA, Booth SL, et al. Effects of orlistat on fat-soluble vitamins in obese adolescents. Pharmacotherapy 2002;22:814-22.. PubMed
- Davidson MH, Hauptman J, DiGirolamo M, et al. Weight control and risk factor reduction in obese subjects treated for 2 years with orlistat. JAMA 1999;281:235-42. DOI
- Sjostrom L, Rissanen A, Andersen T, et al. Randomised placebo-controlled trial of orlistat for weight loss and prevention of weight regain in obese patients. Lancet 1998;352:167-73.. DOI
Sodium Phenylbutyrate, Taurursodiol
Moderate DepletionBrand names include Relyvrio
By reducing absorption of dietary fats, cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) may also reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A. Some studies have reported a fall in serum vitamin A levels, but they rarely fall below the normal range with therapy of up to 2 years' duration. Since some of the vitamin A in plasma is carried on lipids, part of this fall in plasma vitamin A levels may be due to decreased plasma lipid levels. Other studies have reported no change in plasma vitamin A levels with colestipol, up to 30 grams/day for 6 months, or cholestyramine 12 to 24 grams/day for up to 10 years. Routine vitamin A supplements aren't necessary in people taking bile acid sequestrants, but check vitamin A levels in people taking high doses for more than 2 years. For information on foods that are rich in vitamin A, see our chart.
Sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol works partly as a bile acid compound, and bile acids play a key role in helping your gut absorb fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamin A, which your body needs for healthy vision, immune function, and skin. Because this medication can interfere with how dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins are taken up in the intestine, some studies have shown a dip in vitamin A levels over time, though levels rarely fall dangerously low. This is rated as a moderate concern, meaning most people will be fine, but if you have been on this medication long-term, it is worth asking your pharmacist or doctor whether checking your vitamin A level makes sense for you.
References (8)
- West RJ, Lloyd JK. The effect of cholestyramine on intestinal absorption. Gut 1975;16:93-8. PubMed
- Elinder LS, Hadell K, Johansson J, et al. Probucol treatment decreases serum concentrations of diet-derived antioxidants. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1995;15:1057-63. PubMed
- Schwarz KB, Goldstein PD, Witztum JL, et al. Fat-soluble vitamin concentrations in hypercholestrolemic children treated with colestipol. Pediatrics 1980;65:243-50.
- Tonstad S, Silverstein M, Aksnes L, Ose L. Low dose colestipol in adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia. Arch Dis Child 1996;74:157-60.
- Schade RWB, van't Laar A, Majoor CLH, Jansen AP. A comparative study of the effects of cholestyramine and neomycin in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Acta Med Scand 1976;199:175-80..
- Glueck CJ, Tsang RC, Fallat RW, Scheel D. Plasma vitamin A and E levels in children with familial type II hyperlipoproteinemia during therapy with diet and cholestyramine resin. Pediatrics 1974;54:51-5.. DOI
- Probstfield JL, Lin TL, Peters J, Hunninghake DB. Carotenoids and vitamin A: the effect of hypocholesterolemic agents on serum levels. Metabolism 1985;34:88-91. PubMed
- Lipid Research Clinics Program. The Lipid Research Clinics' Coronary Primary Prevention Trial Results: 1. Reduction in incidence of coronary heart disease. JAMA 1984;251:351-64. DOI
Full nutrient report for Sodium Phenylbutyrate, Taurursodiol →
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
VITAMIN A & medications: FAQs
Which medications can lower VITAMIN A?
I take one of these medications — am I deficient in VITAMIN A?
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Other commonly implicated nutrients
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Sources & How We Checked
Medication associations with VITAMIN A are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.