Supplement·Interactions·Reviewed June 9, 2026
Vitamin A interactions.
Vitamin A has 18 documented interactions in the NutriStack database: 3 to avoid or watch closely, 4 that need timing or caution, and 11 that work synergistically. The full list, with what each pairing does, is below.
Vitamin A at a glance.
A quick, data-grounded summary. The full table is below.
Vitamin A has 18 documented interactions in the NutriStack database: 3 to avoid or watch closely, 4 that need timing or caution, and 11 that work synergistically. The full list, with what each pairing does, is below.
Everything that interacts with vitamin a.
Every supplement and medication in the NutriStack database with a documented interaction with this substance, highest-severity first. Open any pair for the mechanism and sources.
| Substance | Interaction | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Acitretin | Contraindicated | Acitretin is a systemic retinoid with vitamin A-like toxicity. Adding preformed vitamin A supplements can stack retinoid effects and increase the... details → |
| Isotretinoin | Contraindicated | Isotretinoin is a retinoid (13-cis-retinoic acid) that acts as a potent form of vitamin A. Adding supplemental vitamin A to isotretinoin therapy... details → |
| Tretinoin Oral | Contraindicated | Oral tretinoin is all-trans retinoic acid, an active vitamin A metabolite used systemically for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Adding preformed... details → |
| Beta-Carotene | Caution | Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, so taking both together adds to total vitamin A activity and can increase the risk of vitamin A... |
| Doxycycline | Caution | Doxycycline and high-dose vitamin A are both associated with intracranial hypertension, also called pseudotumor cerebri. Combining a... details → |
| Vitamin D3 | Caution | High-dose vitamin A (retinol) can antagonize vitamin D activity by competing for the shared RXR nuclear receptor. details → |
| Cholestyramine | Timing Sensitive | Cholestyramine impairs absorption of fat-soluble vitamin A. Long-term therapy can lower serum vitamin A and beta-carotene levels, with potential for... |
| Elderberry Zinc Lozenges | Synergy | Elderberry Zinc Lozenges is required for retinol-binding protein synthesis and vitamin A transport from the liver. Elderberry Zinc Lozenges... |
| Evening Primrose Oil | Synergy | Evening Primrose Oil provides a fat-containing carrier that can improve absorption of fat-soluble compounds like Vitamin A. |
| Flaxseed Oil | Synergy | Flaxseed Oil provides a fat-containing carrier that can improve absorption of fat-soluble compounds like Vitamin A. |
| Iron | Synergy | Vitamin A improves iron mobilization from stores and enhances erythropoiesis. Combined supplementation is more effective than either alone for anemia. |
| Iron Bisglycinate | Synergy | Vitamin A improves iron bisglycinate mobilization from stores and enhances erythropoiesis. Combined supplementation is more effective than either... |
| MCT Oil | Synergy | MCT Oil provides a fat-containing carrier that can improve absorption of fat-soluble compounds like Vitamin A. |
| Vitamin E | Synergy | Vitamin E protects vitamin A from oxidation in the gut, increasing its absorption and stability. |
| Vitamin K2 | Synergy | Vitamins A and K2 contribute to bone and calcium handling alongside vitamin D, supporting balanced mineralization at nutritional intakes. |
| Zinc | Synergy | Zinc is required for retinol-binding protein synthesis and vitamin A transport from the liver. Zinc deficiency impairs vitamin A mobilization. details → |
| Zinc Carnosine | Synergy | Zinc Carnosine is required for retinol-binding protein synthesis and vitamin A transport from the liver. Zinc Carnosine deficiency impairs vitamin A... |
| Zinc Picolinate | Synergy | Zinc Picolinate is required for retinol-binding protein synthesis and vitamin A transport from the liver. Zinc Picolinate deficiency impairs vitamin... |
The full vitamin a profile.
Benefits, dosing by goal, forms, and the cited evidence for this supplement.
Common vitamin a questions.
Quick answers drawn from the table above.
What interacts with Vitamin A?
In the NutriStack database, Vitamin A has 18 documented interactions with other supplements and medications. The most notable include Acitretin, Isotretinoin, Tretinoin Oral, Beta-Carotene, and Doxycycline.
What should you not take with Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is flagged against 3 substances in the database, including Acitretin, Isotretinoin, and Tretinoin Oral. Review these with a clinician before combining, especially alongside prescription medications.
What works well with Vitamin A?
Vitamin A pairs synergistically with Elderberry Zinc Lozenges, Evening Primrose Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Iron, and Iron Bisglycinate in the NutriStack database. Synergy still depends on dose and timing; open any pair for the detail.
Can you take Vitamin A with Acitretin?
NutriStack classifies the Vitamin A and Acitretin pairing as contraindicated: Acitretin is a systemic retinoid with vitamin A-like toxicity. Adding preformed vitamin A supplements can stack retinoid effects and increase the risk of headache,... Do not take vitamin A supplements, cod liver oil, or retinoid-containing products while on acitretin unless your dermatologist specifically directs...
Check your whole stack
See how vitamin a fits your routine.
NutriStack screens your full stack for interactions and timing conflicts, and updates the moment you change it.