Taking extra vitamin A with isotretinoin can increase the risk of what?

• A. Vitamin A toxicity
• B. Vitamin C toxicity
• C. Calcium toxicity
• D. Iron toxicity

Answer: (D)

Taking extra vitamin A with isotretinoin increases the risk of vitamin A toxicity because isotretinoin is a vitamin A–derived retinoid, and adding more vitamin A pushes total retinoid levels beyond what the body can safely handle. This hypervitaminosis A can cause dry skin and mucous membranes, cheilitis, hair loss, headaches, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, and, in more severe cases, liver dysfunction or increased intracranial pressure. Pregnancy should be avoided with isotretinoin due to its high teratogenic risk, which is another important consequence of excess vitamin A exposure. The concern is specific to vitamin A intake, not vitamin C, calcium, or iron toxicity.