Derax is a film coated tablet which contains a combination of antioxidant vitamins. The tablet contains beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E.

Beta carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E help fight and protect the cell against harmful cell damage. The antioxidants present in each tablet have been linked with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases in human. All of these three antioxidant vitamins have been linked with reduced risks of cataract.

Tablet is administered orally. The adult dose of this combination of antioxidant vitamin tablet is 1 tablet daily or as prescribed by the physician.

Although human body converts beta carotene to vitamin A only when required, yet excessive doses of vitamin A should be avoided in pregnancy because of potential teratogenic effects. Patients with hypersensitivity to rational should not take this preparation, although the possibility of such cases are occasional.

Vitamin C in megadoses has been contraindicated for patients with hyperoxaluria. A pregnant woman taking more than 5 gm daily ascorbate may suffer fetal abortion. Higher doses of vitamin C have been reported to cause failure of conception.
In case of vitamin E there is no contraindication

The administration of excessive amount of vitamin A over long periods can lead to toxicity, known as hypervitaminosis A. This is characterised by fatigue, irritability, anorexia and loss of weight, vomiting and other gastrointestinal disturbances, low grade fever, hepatosplenomegaly, subcutaneous swelling and pains in bones and joints.

Since the body converts carotene of retinol only in amounts as required, so there is no possibility of accumulation of vitamin A (Retinol) in the body. Patients who are hypersensitive to vitamin a should be carefully monitored during treatment with this preparation. Vitamin C should be given with care to patients with hyperoxaluria. In patients taking oral anticoagulants of oestrogens, vitamin E should be given carefully because it has been found to antagonise the effects of vitamin K, leading to an increase in blood clotting time in these patients.

Loose stools may occasionally occur during treatment with beta carotene and the skin may assume a slightly yellow discoloration. The toxic effects of vitamin A (after conversion of beta carotene to it) which are encountered are normally reversible and an irreversible toxic effect is effectively unknown. chronic overdosage can lead to peeling and redness of the skin, disturbed hair growth, loss of appetite, and sickness.

Vitamin E is usually well tolerated. Large doses are reported to cause diarrhoea and other gastro-intestinal disturbances. It has also been studied that large doses may result in hyperoxaluria.

Is no potentially hazardous drug interactions with retinol (after conversion of beta carotene to it). Both cadmium and copper decrease retinol plasma levels. Among antibiotics, neomycin and bleomycin reduce the absorption of retinol.

Vitamin C is incompatible in solution with aminophylline, bleomycin, erythromycin, lactoibonate, nafcillin, nitrofurantoin sodium, conjugated oestrogens, chloramphenicol sodium succinate, chlorothiazide sodium and hydrocortisone sodium succinate. It increases the apparent half life of paracetamol and enhances iron absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

No potentially useful drug interaction with vitamin E has been found. However high doses of vitamin E can impair intestinal absorption of vitamin A and K.

Store in a cool (below 30°C), dry place and protect from light. Keep out of the reach of children.

Derax tablet : Bottle containing 20 tablets. Each film coated tablet contains beta carotene USP 6 mg, vitamin C USP 200 mg and vitamin E USP 50 mg.