(VYE ta min ee)
Dietary supplement
Note: According to the 2014 USPSTF recommendations for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer, the use of vitamin E supplements are not recommended (Moyer 2014).
Hypersensitivity to vitamin E or any component of the formulation
Vitamin E may be expressed as alpha-tocopherol equivalents (ATE), which refer to the biologically-active (R) stereoisomer content.
Recommended daily allowance (RDA) (IOM 2000): Oral: 15 mg; upper limit of intake should not exceed 1,000 mg/day
Pregnant female:
≤18 years: 15 mg; upper level of intake should not exceed 800 mg/day
19 to 50 years: 15 mg; upper level of intake should not exceed 1,000 mg/day
Lactating female:
≤18 years: 19 mg; upper level of intake should not exceed 800 mg/day
19 to 50 years: 19 mg; upper level of intake should not exceed 1,000 mg/day
Dietary supplement: Oral:
Capsule, tablet: Varies by product. Dosages range from 100 to 400 units/day
Aqueous Oral Drops: 30 units/day
Refer to adult dosing.
Vitamin E may be expressed as alpha-tocopherol equivalents (ATE), which refer to the biologically-active (R) stereoisomer content.
Adequate intake (AI): Oral (IOM 2000): Infants (RDA not established):
1 to 6 months: 4 mg
7 to 12 months: 5 mg
Recommended daily allowance (RDA): Oral (IOM, 2000): Children:
1 to 3 years: 6 mg; upper limit of intake should not exceed 200 mg/day
4 to 8 years: 7 mg; upper limit of intake should not exceed 300 mg/day
9 to 13 years: 11 mg; upper limit of intake should not exceed 600 mg/day
14 to 18 years: 15 mg; upper limit of intake should not exceed 800 mg/day
Vitamin E deficiency: Oral: Children (with malabsorption syndrome): 1 unit/kg/day of water miscible vitamin E (adjust dose based on serum concentrations) (Kleigman 2016)
Cystic fibrosis supplementation (Borowitz 2002): Oral:
1 to 12 months: 40 to 50 units/day
1 to 3 years: 80 to 150 units/day
4 to 8 years: 100 to 200 units/day
>8 years: 200 to 400 units/day
Dietary supplement: Oral: Aqueous Oral Drops:
Infants: 5 units/day
Children <4 years: 10 units/day
Children ≥4 years and Adolescents: 30 units/day
Swallow capsules whole; do not crush or chew.
Protect from light.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Capsule, Oral:
Alph-E: 400 units
Alph-E-Mixed: 200 units
Alph-E-Mixed 1000: 1000 units
Alph-E-Mixed: 400 units [corn free, milk free, sugar free, wheat free, yeast free]
Formula E 400: 400 units
Vita-Plus E: 400 units
Vitamin E/D-Alpha Natural: 400 units [DSC]
Generic: 100 units, 200 units, 400 units, 600 units [DSC], 1000 units
Capsule, Oral [preservative free]:
E-400: 400 units [corn free, gluten free, milk derivatives/products, no artificial color(s), no artificial flavor(s), sodium free, soy free, starch free, sugar free, yeast free]
E-400-Clear: 400 units [dye free]
E-400-Mixed: 400 units [dye free]
E-Max-1000: 1000 units [dye free]
Generic: 100 units, 400 units
Liquid, Oral:
Nutr-E-Sol: 400 units/15 mL (473 mL) [color free, starch free, sugar free]
Solution, Oral:
Aquasol E: 15 units/0.3 mL (12 mL, 30 mL) [contains polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, saccharin]
Aquavit-E: 15 units/0.3 mL (30 mL) [butterscotch flavor]
Aqueous Vitamin E: 15 units/0.3 mL (30 mL) [anise-butterscotch flavor]
Generic: 15 units/0.3 mL (12 mL)
Tablet, Oral:
E-Pherol: 400 units
Natural Vitamin E: 200 units, 400 units [animal products free, gelatin free, gluten free, kosher certified, lactose free, no artificial color(s), no artificial flavor(s), starch free, sugar free, yeast free]
Generic: 100 units, 200 units, 400 units
Agents with Antiplatelet Properties (e.g., P2Y12 inhibitors, NSAIDs, SSRIs, etc.): Vitamin E (Systemic) may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Agents with Antiplatelet Properties. Monitor therapy
Anticoagulants: Vitamin E (Systemic) may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Anticoagulants. Monitor therapy
CycloSPORINE (Systemic): Vitamin E (Systemic) may decrease the serum concentration of CycloSPORINE (Systemic). Monitor therapy
Ibrutinib: Vitamin E (Systemic) may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Ibrutinib. Monitor therapy
Orlistat: May decrease the serum concentration of Vitamins (Fat Soluble). Management: Administer oral fat soluble vitamins at least 2 hours before or after the administration of orlistat. Similar precautions do not apply to parenterally administered fat soluble vitamins. Consider therapy modification
Tipranavir: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Vitamin E (Systemic). Management: Patients taking tipranavir oral solution are advised to avoid taking additional vitamin E, beyond the amounts contained in a multivitamin product. This interaction does not apply to tipranavir capsules. Consider therapy modification
Plasma tocopherol concentrations
There are no adverse reactions listed in the manufacturer 's labeling.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- Vitamin K deficiency: May induce vitamin K deficiency (Corkins 2010).
Special populations:
- Low birth weight infants: Necrotizing enterocolitis has been associated with oral administration of large dosages (eg, >200 units/day) of a hyperosmolar vitamin E preparation in low birth weight infants.
Dosage form specific issues:
- Polysorbate 80: Some dosage forms may contain polysorbate 80 (also known as Tweens). Hypersensitivity reactions, usually a delayed reaction, have been reported following exposure to pharmaceutical products containing polysorbate 80 in certain individuals (Isaksson 2002; Lucente 2000; Shelley 1995). Thrombocytopenia, ascites, pulmonary deterioration, and renal and hepatic failure have been reported in premature neonates after receiving parenteral products containing polysorbate 80 (Alade 1986; CDC 1984). See manufacturer 's labeling.
Vitamin E crosses the placenta. Maternal serum concentrations ofα tocopherol increase with lipid concentrations as pregnancy progresses; however, placental transfer remains constant. Additional supplementation is not needed in pregnant women without deficiency (IOM 2000).
Prevents oxidation of vitamin A and C; protects polyunsaturated fatty acids in membranes from attack by free radicals and protects red blood cells against hemolysis
Depends on presence of bile; reduced in conditions of malabsorption, in low birth weight premature infants, and as dosage increases; water miscible preparations are better absorbed than oil preparations
To all body tissues, especially adipose tissue, where it is stored
Hepatic to glucuronides
Feces
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience asthenia, dyspepsia, or diarrhea. Have patient report immediately to prescriber ecchymosis or hemorrhaging (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.