Description
NOW Vitamin A and D 10,000/400 IU – 100 Softgels: A 22-Section Guide to Safe Dosing
Quick answer:
NOW Vitamin A and D is a softgel from NOW Foods with 3,000 mcg RAE of vitamin A (10,000 IU as retinyl palmitate) and 10 mcg of vitamin D3 (400 IU) in organic extra virgin olive oil. Take 1 softgel a day with a meal; the bottle lasts 100 days. That amount equals the adult upper limit for preformed vitamin A, so it must never be used in pregnancy, possible pregnancy or breastfeeding, and must not be combined with cod liver oil or any other vitamin A source.
Key Facts About NOW Vitamin A and D
| Name | NOW Vitamin A and D 10,000/400 IU – 100 Softgels |
| Manufacturer | NOW Foods – USA, family owned since 1968 |
| Vitamin A | 3,000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU) retinyl palmitate = 333% DV |
| Vitamin D3 | 10 mcg (400 IU) cholecalciferol from lanolin = 50% DV |
| Quantity | 100 softgels = 100 servings |
| Form | Bovine gelatin softgels in organic extra virgin olive oil |
| Dose | 1 softgel daily with a meal |
| Suitable for | Adults only |
| Expiry | Printed on the pack |
Short description: NOW Vitamin A and D delivers a high dose of preformed vitamin A plus a little vitamin D3 in one daily softgel, for eye and bone support in adults under medical advice; strictly not for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
On this page
Introduction to NOW Vitamin A and D
Poor vision in dim light, dry skin and frequent colds can sometimes be signs of low vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin the body needs for sight and for healthy linings in the eyes, skin and airways. NOW Vitamin A and D pairs vitamin A with a small amount of vitamin D in a single softgel labelled Eye and Bone Health.
This is not a gentle everyday vitamin, though. One softgel reaches the most preformed vitamin A an adult can safely take in a day. That is why this guide puts safety before benefits: who it suits, who must avoid it completely, and how to add up what you already get from food and other supplements before you open the bottle.
What Is NOW Vitamin A and D?
NOW Vitamin A and D is a supplement from the American company NOW Foods, sold as 100 softgels. Each softgel provides 3,000 mcg RAE of vitamin A as retinyl palmitate (10,000 IU, 333% of the Daily Value) and 10 mcg of vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol sourced from lanolin (400 IU, 50% DV).
The vitamins are dissolved in organic extra virgin olive oil, and the softgel shell is bovine gelatin, so the product is not suitable for vegetarians. One softgel is one serving and the bottle holds 100 servings. The label is clear: for adults only, and do not exceed the recommended dose.
How NOW Vitamin A and D Works
- Vitamin A (retinol): forms rhodopsin, the pigment in the retina that lets you see in low light, and maintains healthy epithelial tissue in the eyes, skin, respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts.
- Retinyl palmitate: a ready-made form of vitamin A that does not need converting like beta-carotene, which is why excess builds up in the liver.
- Vitamin D3: promotes calcium absorption from the gut and supports bones and teeth.
- Olive oil base: both vitamins are fat-soluble, so the oil and a meal help absorption.
Key Benefits of NOW Vitamin A and D
- Helps correct vitamin A deficiency identified by a doctor, one sign of which is night blindness.
- Supports healthy eye surfaces when dryness is linked to deficiency.
- Supports skin and mucous membranes, the body’s first barrier against infection.
- Adds 400 IU of vitamin D3 to support calcium absorption.
- One softgel a day, and a bottle lasts more than three months.
Evidence limits: the benefits of vitamin A are clear when there is a true deficiency. For people who already get enough from food, there is no strong evidence that high doses sharpen eyesight or boost immunity, and long-term high intake can raise risks instead.
Real-Life Use Cases for NOW Vitamin A and D
A 50-year-old man struggling to drive at night: an eye exam and blood tests showed low vitamin A linked to a fat absorption problem. His doctor prescribed a supplement for a set period with follow-up tests, rather than simply buying the strongest product on the shelf.
A young woman asking about it for acne: she was taking isotretinoin and planning a pregnancy within a year. The pharmacist advised her not to use it at all, because combining vitamin A with retinoids is dangerous and high-dose preformed vitamin A can cause birth defects.
Who Is NOW Vitamin A and D For?
- Adults with a confirmed vitamin A deficiency whose doctor recommends a supplement.
- People with conditions that reduce fat absorption, such as some bowel diseases or after weight-loss surgery, under medical follow-up.
- People whose diet is very low in liver, eggs, full-fat dairy and orange or leafy vegetables, after advice.
- Adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, do not smoke and have no liver disease.
Who Should Avoid It or Ask a Doctor First?
- Pregnant women, anyone who may become pregnant, and breastfeeding mothers: do not use; high-dose retinol can cause birth defects.
- Children and teenagers: the product is for adults only.
- People with liver disease or heavy alcohol use: vitamin A is stored in the liver and can add to damage.
- Current and former smokers: talk to your doctor; a large trial combining beta-carotene with high-dose retinyl palmitate raised lung cancer risk in smokers.
- Anyone on isotretinoin, acitretin or another retinoid: never combine.
- Older adults and people with osteoporosis: long-term high preformed vitamin A has been linked to weaker bones in some studies.
How to Use NOW Vitamin A and D
- Label dose: 1 softgel daily with a meal, and never more.
- Agree the purpose and duration with your doctor first; this is not a supplement to take indefinitely without follow-up.
- Check every label you use: multivitamins, cod liver oil and some oral hair and skin products contain vitamin A.
- On days you eat liver, ask your doctor about skipping the softgel; one serving of beef liver can exceed the upper limit by itself.
- Stop immediately if you become pregnant or start planning a pregnancy.
Best Time to Take NOW Vitamin A and D
The best time is with your largest meal that contains some fat, such as lunch, because vitamins A and D are fat-soluble. A fixed daily time also lowers the chance of forgetting a dose and then doubling up the next day, which you should never do.
When Will You See Results From NOW Vitamin A and D?
With NOW Vitamin A and D and a true deficiency, night vision may improve within a few weeks, while skin and membranes take longer. Your doctor decides how long to continue based on blood tests. If you had no deficiency symptoms to begin with, you are unlikely to notice a difference, and that is normal.
Common Mistakes With NOW Vitamin A and D
- Treating it as an ordinary daily vitamin for everyone, when the dose sits at the safe upper limit.
- Combining it with cod liver oil or a vitamin A-rich multivitamin.
- Using it for acne instead of seeing a dermatologist, or taking it with isotretinoin.
- Continuing it during pregnancy or while trying to conceive.
- Relying on it as your vitamin D source, when 400 IU may be too little for a real deficiency.
Myths and Facts
Myth: the more vitamin A, the better your eyesight. Fact: extra vitamin A does not improve normal vision, and too much causes toxicity that can harm the liver and bones.
Myth: vitamins are natural, so they are safe in pregnancy. Fact: high-dose preformed vitamin A is one of the best-known avoidable causes of birth defects.
Side Effects of NOW Vitamin A and D
At the label dose and for a defined period, most healthy adults tolerate NOW Vitamin A and D well. Exceeding the dose or stacking it with other sources can cause signs of too much vitamin A:
- Headache, dizziness and nausea.
- Dry, peeling skin, cracked lips and hair loss.
- Bone and joint pain.
- Abnormal liver tests with long-term use.
- Severe headache with blurred vision or vomiting: stop and see a doctor at once.
Drug Interactions With NOW Vitamin A and D
- Retinoids such as isotretinoin and acitretin: never combine, because of the risk of vitamin A toxicity.
- Tetracycline antibiotics such as minocycline: combined with high-dose vitamin A, linked to raised pressure around the brain.
- Medicines that can affect the liver: ask your doctor before combining.
- Orlistat and bile acid binders such as cholestyramine: reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
- Thiazide diuretics: can raise calcium together with vitamin D; tell your doctor.
NOW Vitamin A and D Warnings
- For adults only; do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Do not use if pregnant, may become pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Do not combine with cod liver oil or any other vitamin A supplement.
- Contains bovine gelatin.
- Store in a cool, dry place after opening and keep well out of reach of children.
Useful Checks Before NOW Vitamin A and D
Before starting NOW Vitamin A and D, your doctor may order serum retinol to confirm a deficiency, liver function tests, vitamin D (25-hydroxy) and calcium. With use beyond a few months, repeating liver tests is sensible. Anyone with poor night vision also needs an eye exam to rule out other causes such as cataract or retinal disease.
What to Pair NOW Vitamin A and D With
- Food sources before NOW Vitamin A and D: eggs, dairy, carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach.
- Sensible sun exposure to support vitamin D.
- If you want eye support without preformed vitamin A, consider lutein or astaxanthin instead.
Read more in our guide to eye vitamins, plus lutein benefits and astaxanthin benefits for carotenoid options without the toxicity risk. If you are working out your vitamin D needs, see our article on vitamin D3 dosage.
How NOW Vitamin A and D Compares With Other Eye Products
The key difference is that this product is high-dose preformed vitamin A with vitamin D, while the other two are carotenoids that do not turn into vitamin A and do not carry the same toxicity risk. Here is how they compare:
| Product | Per softgel | Daily dose | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOW Vitamin A and D 10,000/400 IU (100 softgels) | Vitamin A 3,000 mcg RAE + vitamin D3 10 mcg | 1 softgel daily with a meal | Confirmed vitamin A shortfall in adults, under medical advice; not for pregnancy |
| NOW Astaxanthin 4 mg (60 veggie softgels) | Astaxanthin 4 mg from Haematococcus microalgae | 1 softgel once or twice daily with food | Antioxidant support for heavy screen users |
| Doctor’s Best Lutein 20 mg (60 softgels) | Lutein 20 mg + zeaxanthin 1 mg from marigold | 1 softgel daily, best with a meal containing fat | Macular pigment support and blue-light filtering |
When to See a Doctor
- Before starting, especially with any medicine or chronic illness.
- If you become pregnant or plan a pregnancy while using it.
- Severe headache, blurred vision, vomiting or bone pain.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pain in the upper right abdomen.
- Night vision that stays poor despite treatment.
NSL Expert Tip
From the No Style Like pharmacy team: treat each NOW Vitamin A and D softgel as a therapeutic dose, not a casual daily vitamin. Put all your supplement labels side by side and add up the preformed vitamin A; the total should not go above 3,000 mcg RAE. If you simply want eye support without a proven deficiency, ask us about carotenoid alternatives.
NOW Vitamin A and D FAQ
How much vitamin A is in each softgel?
3,000 mcg RAE, or 10,000 IU, as retinyl palmitate, which is the adult upper limit for preformed vitamin A.
Can I take it while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The label says do not use if pregnant, may become pregnant or breastfeeding, because retinol can cause birth defects.
Can I combine it with cod liver oil?
No. Cod liver oil is rich in vitamin A and together they exceed the safe limit.
Does it help acne?
It is not meant for acne and must never be taken with isotretinoin. See a dermatologist.
Is 400 IU of vitamin D enough to fix a deficiency?
It is a small dose; a clear deficiency needs a plan from your doctor.
What is the expiry date?
The expiry date is printed on the pack.
Conclusion
NOW Vitamin A and D provides 3,000 mcg RAE of vitamin A and 400 IU of vitamin D3 in one daily softgel with a meal, and it is useful for adults with a confirmed deficiency under medical advice. It is not for pregnancy or breastfeeding, must not be stacked with cod liver oil or retinoids, and people with liver disease and smokers should ask first. Order it from No Style Like Pharmacy with delivery across Egypt.
Reviewed by the No Style Like Pharmacy content team. This information is for educational purposes only.
Read the label and follow the pack or your doctor’s directions; this content does not replace medical advice. Learn more at NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin A.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.