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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