Vitamin A
Measles: give two doses 24 hours apart. Under 6 months 50,000 IU, 6–11 months 100,000 IU, 12 months and over 200,000 IU.
On this page
Measles dose (two doses, 24 hours apart)
| Age | Dose |
|---|---|
| Under 6 months | 50,000 IU |
| 6–11 months | 100,000 IU |
| 12 months and over | 200,000 IU |
Give a third dose 2–4 weeks later if there are eye signs of vitamin A deficiency.
Cautions
- High doses are harmful in pregnancy (birth defects); don't give the child doses to pregnant women.
- Large overdoses cause raised intracranial pressure (bulging fontanelle, vomiting).
Frequently asked questions
Why give vitamin A in measles?
It reduces blindness and deaths from measles.
Used in these guides
Sources
Doses on this page are typical doses from the sources above. Always confirm with a current drug reference, the product leaflet and your hospital protocol, especially in children, pregnancy and kidney or liver disease.