Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

9
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Brands

DEA Class; OTC

Common Brand Names; Aquasol E, alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol

  • Vitamins E
  • Vitamins, Fat-Soluble

Plays a role in protecting red blood cells against hemolysis; has protective effects against free radicals on polyunsaturated fatty acids found in cell membranes; plays a role in preventing oxidation of vitamin A and C

Nutrition

Sources: Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds; richest source is vegetable oils

Functions: Lipid antioxidant, protects membrane phospholipids, intracellular antioxidant, inhibits platelet aggregation

Deficiency: Rare; occurs in premature infants & those who cannot absorb fat; sterility; muscle weakness, visceral impairment; infants: anemia, nerve, eye & balance problems that may be permanent

Toxicity: Extremely rare

Vitamin E is an antioxidant also known as tocopherol. It helps the body form red blood cells and use vitamin K.

Also Indicated For

  • Vitamin E Deficiency
  • RDA
  • Postherpetic Neuralgia (Off-label)
  • Fragile X Syndrome (Orphan)
  • Dermatologic Pain/Irritation

Hypersensitivity to vitamin E or formulation components

  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Flatulence
  • Diarrhea
  • Blurred vision
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (infants)
  • Increased serum creatinine
  • Increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke
  • Recent evidence suggests that Vitamin E may suppress action of other antioxidants
  • Very modest but statistically significant increase in all-cause mortality with supplemental intake of vitamin E =400 IU/day

Vitamin E, at RDA levels, does not increase bleeding time or affect warfarin except at megadoses (~10x RDA or higher) – adjustment of warfarin may be necessary for such doses

Discontinue high dose Vitamin E supplementation 1 month before surgery, may resume after recovery

May induce vitamin K deficiency; use with caution in Vitamin K deficiency, bleeding propensity or lesions (bleeding peptic ulcers, hemophilia etc)

High doses of vitamin E (≥400 units daily) administered long-term administration (>1 year) may increase all-cause mortality

Pregnancy Category: A (RDA levels)

Lactation: Excreted in breast milk; safe

RDA

15 mg PO qDay; not to exceed 1000 mg/day

Pregnant Females

  • <18 years: 15 mg PO qDay; not to exceed 800 mg/day
  • >18 years: 15 mg PO qDay; not to exceed 1000 mg/day

Lactating Females

  • <18 years: 19 mg PO qDay; not to exceed 800 mg/day
  • >18 years: 19 mg/day PO qDay; not to exceed 1000 mg/day

Vitamin E Deficiency

60-75 units PO qDay

Postherpetic Neuralgia (Off-label)

400 units PO twice or four times daily

Fragile X Syndrome (Orphan)

Orphan designation for fragile X syndrome in combination with ascorbic acid

Dermatologic Pain/Irritation

Apply topically to affected areas PRN

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

capsule

  • 200units
  • 400units
  • 600units
  • 1000units

tablets

  • 100units
  • 200units
  • 400units

liquid

  • 400units/15mL

solution

  • 15units/0.3mL

cream

  • 30,000units/57g
  • 1000units/120g
  • 100units/g
  • 30units/g

ointment

  • 30units/g

oil

  • 28,000units/30mL
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