Q: I have just bought a tanning pill and I am concerned about its ingredients like copper sulphate 2 mg, l-tyrosine 2000 mg, vitamin D (cholcalcoferol) 400 mg, vitamin E (dl. acetate) 30 mg, PABA 20 mg. And the following it does not say how much of it is there: dicalcium phosphate, anhydrous, cellulose, magnesium stearate and silica. Are these ingredients safe to take over a long period of time?

A:A large number of tanning pills, lotions that are advertised and sold Over The Counter (OTC) have not been evaluated for their efficacy and safety by national level drug regulators. Hence these products are used by people at their own risk. The daily requirement of copper is about 0.9 mg. As per available data, normal diet contains about 1.1 to 1.2 mg. Hence taking this element in supplements may cause side effects such as severe stomach disorders and damage to liver. Vitamin D is not only available in diet but also synthesized by exposure to sunlight. Excessive dose can lead to hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in blood), hypercalciuria (excretion of calcium crystals in urine, kidney stones), ectopic calcification (deposition of calcium at unwanted places) and renal or cardiovascular disorders. Excessive dosage of vitamin E can result in diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness, increased bleeding tendency in vitamin K-deficient persons and increased risk of thrombosis (clotting of blood) in those who are taking hormones such as contraceptive pills. PABA is generally used in Sunscreen lotions for topical use; oral use is rare. It can cause contact and photocontact allergic dermatitis (skin inflammation). The other ingredients appear to be in traces and may not cause any serious problem.