VITACE

Antioxidant Vitamins

Description:

Vitace is a film coated tablet. It is a unique combination of three antioxidant vitamins namely Beta Carotene (Pro-Vitamin A), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Composition:

Each film coated tablet contains Beta Carotene USP 6 mg, Vitamin C BP 200 mg and vitamin E BP 50 mg.

Indications:

Antioxidant vitamins Beta Carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E present in Vitace tablet have been linked with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases in human. All of these three antioxidant vitamins have an important role in brain ageing process and have implications for prevention of progressive cognitive impairment in elderly human.

Supplementation of Beta Carotene and Vitamin E may reduce bile acid-induced DNA damage and has a protective role against the DNA damaging capacity of secondary bile acids lithocolate and deoxycholate. And Vitamin C and Vitamin E can protect oxidatively induced DNA damage.

Supplementation with vitamin E shows to reduce the susceptibility of blood lipoproteins (the proteins that carry cholesterol in the blood) to oxidation, which is the major causative factor in the formation of atheromata in the walls of blood vessels. Vitamin E also protects the immune system and hence helps to combat infection and chronic diseases. Vitamin E may also be of value in reversing the age-related trend toward decreased competence of the immune system, as well as other age related degenerative changes.

Moreover, it was recently reported that high dose supplementation with vitamin C could correct the elevated sorbitol levels seen in diabetics, inhibiting the activity of the enzyme aldose reductae.

Vitamin C is the most powerful reducing agent known to be present in the living tissues. It is a co-factor in numerous biological processes. Vitamin C plays an important part in the response of the body to stress. It is important in the defense against infection. Vitamin C possesses some anti-inflammatory activity and protects cell against oxidation damage to essential molecules. Its reductive capacity is important in iron metabolism and it is necessary for the incorporation of iron into ferritin, and catalyses the reduction of ferric iron to the ferrous form. Vitamin C increases iron absorption.

The primary role of Vitamin E is the prevention of oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Vitamin E reacts with free radicals which are the cause of oxidative damage to cell membranes, without the formation of another free radical in the process.

Dosage & administration:

The adult dose is 1(one) tablet daily, or as prescribed by the physician.

Contraindications:

Although human body converts Beta Carotene to Vitamin A only when required, yet excessive doses of vitamin A should be avoided in pregnancy because of potential teratogenic effects. Patient with hypersensitivity to retinol should not take this preparation, although the possibility of such cases are occasional. Vitamin C in megadoses has been contraindicated for patients with hyperoxaluria. A pregnant woman taking more than 5 g daily Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) may suffer foetal abortion. Higher doses of vitamin C have been reported to cause failure of conception. In case of vitamin E, there are no absolute contraindication.

Side-effects:

Loose stools may occasionally occur during treatment with Beta Carotene and the skin may assume a slightly yellow discoloration. The toxic effects of vitamin A (after conversion of Beta Carotene to it) which are encountered normally reversible and irreversible toxic effect is effectively unknown. Chronic overdose can lead to peeling and redness of the skin, disturbed hair growth, loss of appetite, and sickness. 

Vitamin C is usually well tolerated. Large doses are reported to cause diarrhoea and other gastro-intestinal disturbances. It has also been stated that large doses may result in hyperoxaluria and the formation of renal calcium oxalate calculi and it should therefore be given with care to patients with hyperoxaluria.

Vitamin E is usually well tolerated. Large doses may cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and other gastro-intestinal disturbances, and have also been reported to cause fatigue and weakness.

Drug Interaction:

There is no potentially hazardous drug interactions with retinol (after conversion of beta carotene to it). Both cadmium and copper decreases retinol plasma levels. Among antibiotics, neomycin and bleomycin reduce the absorption of retinol. Vitamin C is incompatable in solution with aminophylline, bleomycin, erythromycin, lactobionate, nafcillin, nitrofurantoin sodium, conjugated oestrogens, sodium bicarbonate, sulphafurazole diethanolamine, chloramphenicol sodium succinate, chlorothiazide sodium and hydrocortisone sodium succinate. It increases the apparent half-life of paracetamol and enhances iron absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

No potentially useful drug interaction with vitamin E has been described. However, high doses of vitamin E can impair intestinal absorption of vitamin A & K.

Presentation:

Bottle containing 30 tablets.