Oklahoma Poison Center addresses unprescribed use of vitamin A amid measles outbreak

The Oklahoma Poison Center is reminding Oklahomans to only use vitamin supplements as recommended by health care professionals following reported self-medication with vitamin A.

A program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, the Oklahoma Poison Center says media coverage regarding measles outbreaks and reports of vitamin A toxicity in other states prompted the center to issue guidance on proper prevention of measles and how and when to use vitamin supplements.

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The Oklahoma Poison Center strongly warns against self-medicating with vitamin A. It does not prevent measles. It does not cure measles. However, the center also said it has not seen an increase in vitamin A-related calls and has only received one call this year related to an unintentional therapeutic error. 

“If you’re concerned about measles, the best thing you can do is get vaccinated and talk to your physician," associate medical director for the Oklahoma Poison Center Dr. Claire Epperson said. "Vitamin A is not the answer."

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The center says the MMR vaccine remains the safest and most effective protection against measles. Individuals should not take extra vitamin A unless they are definitively diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency and a treating medical professional advises extra supplementation.

As for the risks of taking unprescribed supplements, the center says extra amounts of any vitamin can cause serious harm, especially fat-soluble ones such as vitamin A.

"People who treat themselves with vitamin A are at increased risk for vitamin A toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis A," the center said. "Symptoms range from headache, dizziness, nausea, vision problems and skin peeling, to more serious effects including liver damage, bone complications and central nervous system complications. In pregnant women, excessive vitamin A has been linked to severe birth defects."

When it comes to measles, the center says there is no antiviral therapy, and treatment often comes at alleviating symptoms until the body properly fights off the infection.

“Overdosing on vitamins, even with good intentions, can lead to serious health effects – particularly in children,” managing director of the Oklahoma Poison Center Kristie Edelen said. “The Oklahoma Poison Center urges parents and caregivers not to attempt to treat or prevent illnesses like measles with high-dose vitamins without consulting a medical professional."

EXPOSURE LOCATIONS IN OKC:

Measles exposure reported at one of Metro’s largest pediatric clinics

Oklahoma City grocery store identified as site of reported measles case