Serum triglyceride elevation following high-dose vitamin A treatment for pityriasis rubra pilaris

We describe two patients with pityriasis rubra pilaris in whom hypertriglyceridemia developed following the oral administration of high-dose vitamin A (retinol). The effects of transient hypertriglyceridemia are unknown, as both patients tolerated high-dose vitamin A therapy with minor, if any, other side effects. Both patients had minimal clinical improvement with this therapy. Patients being treated with 1,000,000 IU of vitamin A each day for ten to 14 days should have frequent determinations of serum lipid levels and liver function during the period of drug administration.