What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E occurs naturally in many foods, including nuts, seeds, and leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is an important fat-soluble vitamin that plays a role in many body processes.
Vitamin E is used as a treatment or prevention of vitamin E deficiency. Some people may require extra vitamin E.
Warnings
Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, your allergies, and the medicines you are using.
Before you take this drug
If you suffer from another medical condition, such as:
- Anaemia (low blood red cells)
- Haemophilia, for instance, is an inherited bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Allergies
- An eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa;
- A vitamin K deficiency;
- High cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood;
- Diabetes;
- A history of cancer
- A history of stroke, blood clots,
- If you are in need of surgery or have had surgery recently,
Vitamin E is in FDA pregnancy category C. There is no way to know if vitamin E can harm an unborn child. It is safe to take vitamin E up to the RDA. Supplementation is generally not recommended unless the RDA is exceeded. If you are pregnant, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor.
Vitamin E does not pass into breast milk. It is also unknown if it can harm a baby who is nursing. If you are breastfeeding a child, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor.Your dosage needs may differ during pregnancy or nursing.
How to take vitamin E?
Haemophilia, for instance, is an inherited bleeding or blood clotting disorder. Use the recommended amount of vitamin E and do not exceed it.Vitamin E is best taken with food.Use the provided dosing syringe or a dose-measuring cup or spoon to measure liquid medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you don't have a device for measuring doses.Phenylalanine can be found in liquid medicines that are artificially sweetened. If you are phenylketonuric (PKU), check the label of your medication.
Vitamin E intake increases as you age.Your healthcare provider has given you specific instructions that must be strictly observed. For more information, you can consult the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Database (formerly known as "Recommended Daily Amounts") listings.
Tell your surgeon if you plan to undergo surgery or any other medical procedure. The doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking vitamin E.Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you remember, take the missed dosage immediately. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headaches, fatigue, blurred vision, or stomach pain.
What should be avoided?
Do not take other nutritional supplements or vitamins without consulting your doctor.You should not take orlistat, also known as Xenical or alli (alli), within 2 hours of taking vitamin E.
Side effects of Vitamin E
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to vitamin E, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
If you experience:
- Headache, dizziness, and vision changes;
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Unusual weakness or fatigue
- Diarrhea, stomach cramps,
- Easy bruising (nosebleeds or bleeding gums)
Vitamin E can cause a variety of side effects.
- Nausea;
- Tired feeling
- Headache
- Mild rash
There may be other side effects. For medical advice about side effects, call your physician directly. Alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report them.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for vitamin E deficiency:
Treatment: 60–75 units taken orally daily.
Preventive: 30 units taken orally daily.
Usual Adult Dosage for Tardive Dyskinesia:
Orally, 600 to 1600 units per day
Adult dose for sickle cell anemia:
Orally, 450 units per day
Adult dosage for Alzheimer's disease:
Orally, 1000 units twice daily.
Adult dosage for dietary supplements:
Oral liquid formulations (AQUA-E), 200 units (10 ml) once daily
The usual pediatric dose for vitamin E deficiency is:
Orally, take 1 unit/kg/day of water-miscible Vitamin E.
The usual pediatric dose for retinal disease prophylaxis ()
For the prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity (RP) or Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), secondary to oxygen therapy, 15–30 units/kg/day are needed to maintain plasma levels at 1.5–2 mcg/L (100 units/kg/day may be required). AAP does not recommend routine use of this drug.
The usual pediatric dose for cystic fibrosis:
Orally, 100–400 units/day.
The usual pediatric dose for dietary supplements is:
Dosing: 1 unit vitamin E = 1 mg dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate.
Oral:
Adequate Intake:
If you are less than six months old, 4 units per day
If you are 6 months or less: 5 units per day
Recommended daily allowance:
From 1 to 3 Years: 6 Units Daily
From 4 to 8 Years: 7 Units Daily
From 9 to 13: 11 units per day
13 Years and Older: 15 Units Daily
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor if you stop taking any medicines or start using new ones during your treatment.
- Cholestyramine;
- Mineral oil;
- Orlistat (alli, Xenical);
- Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
This list is incomplete. Vitamin E may interact with other drugs, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and vitamin products. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
