Beta-Carotene (Systemic)

Brand Names : Lumitene, Max-Caro

Additional Information

Once a product has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, beta-carotene is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

• Polymorphous light eruption (a type of reaction to sun)
• Erythropoietic protoporphyria photosensitivity reaction (a type of reaction to sun)

Breast-feeding - Beta-carotene has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children - This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of beta-carotene in the elderly with use in other age groups, it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Dosing - The dose of beta-carotene will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of beta-carotene. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
  • To treat or prevent a reaction to sun in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria:
    • Adults and teenagers - 30 to 300 milligrams (mg) of beta-carotene (the equivalent of 50,000 to 500,000 Units of vitamin A activity) a day.
    • Children - 30 to 150 mg of beta-carotene (the equivalent of 50,000 to 250,000 Units of vitamin A activity) a day.
  • To treat or prevent a reaction to sun in patients with polymorphous light eruption:
    • Adults and teenagers - 75 to 180 mg of beta-carotene (the equivalent of 125,000 to 300,000 Units of vitamin A activity) a day.
    • Children - 30 to 150 mg of beta-carotene (the equivalent of 50,000 to 250,000 Units of vitamin A activity) a day.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.