A simple and rapid determination of total retinol from various pharmaceuticals containing retinol derivatives was described. Retinol derivatives were hydrolyzed with alcoholic KOH to alcoholic retinol, which was determined by HPLC. Pretreatments and HPLC conditions depend on the kind of retinols and preparation forms. The total amount of alcoholic retinol could be determined with this method from many pharmaceutical preparation of retinol derivatives. Treating time of KOH, acidic reagents and HPLC conditions were investigated.