Description of Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins are organic compounds and a vital nutrients that organisms require in limited amounts
Vitamins and minerals listed in national essential medicine list include:
vitamin A,
vitamin B complex,
vitamin C,
vitamin D,
vitamin E, vitamin K,
calcium and selenium

Indications of Vitamins and Minerals:

oVitamin A, is used for prevention and treatment of ocular defects known as xerophthalmia it is also used as a supplement where diet is known to be inadequate.
oVitamin B complex, is composed of nicotinamide, thiamine and riboflavin. It is used in management of vitamin B complex deficiencies, isoniazid induced neuropathy and penicillin induced neuropathy
oVitamin C is used in prevention and treatment of scurvy
oVitamin D, the term Vitamin D is used for a range of compounds which possess the property of preventing or treating rickets
oVitamin E is indicated for some neuromuscular abnormalities
oVitamin K is used for prevention and treatment of vitamin K deficiency bleeding
oCalcium gluconate used in the management of hyperphosphataemia
oSelenium is used in management of selenium deficiency

Contraindication of vitamin and mineral

oVitamin A, is not contra indicated to any specific group of individual
oVitamin B complex, is not contra indicated to any specific group of individual but should be given with caution because it may cause anaphylactic shock when given by injection
oVitamin C is not contra indicated to any specific group of individual
oVitamin D is contraindicated to people with hypercalcaemia, metastatic calcification
oVitamin E is not contra indicated to any specific group of individual neonate weighing less than 1.5 kg
oVitamin K neonates, infants and women in their late pregnancy.
oCalcium is contraindicated to people with all conditions associated with hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria
oSelenium is not contra indicated to any specific group of individual

Dose, Dosage and Course of Vitamins and Minerals (30minutes)

Vitamin A, in prevention of vitamin deficiency, child 1 month–5 years, 5 drops daily (5 drops contain vitamin A approx. 700 units, vitamin D approx. 300 units, ascorbic acid approx. 20 mg) until the condition subside
Vitamin B complex, is usually formulated as a tablet contains combination of nicotinamide 15 mg, riboflavin 1 mg, thiamine hydrochloride 1 mg. The dose is usually 1–2 tablets daily
Vitamin C is given prophylactically at the dose 25–75 mg daily; therapeutic, not less than 250 mg daily in divided doses
Vitamin D, is given as oral supplement of only 10 micrograms (400 units) of Ergocalciferol, calciferol, vitamin D2 or colecalciferol daily
Vitamin E it is given as a supplement at the dose of 3 to 5mg daily until the condition subsides
Vitamin K 10–40 mg daily, adjusted as necessary; child 1–12 years, 5–10 mg daily, adjusted as necessary, 12–18 years, 10–20 mg daily, adjusted as necessary
Calcium is presented as given orange flavored tablet of calcium carbonate at the dose of 2.5 g daily until the condition is corrected
Selenium is given by mouth or by intramuscular injection or by intravenous injection, 100–500 micrograms daily until the condition is corrected