Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol)

Category:

• Vitamin

Description:

• Dietary supplement; fat-soluble vitamin

  Indications:

• Vitamin E deficiency

• Antioxidant

• Development of heme (red blood cells), steroids and collagen

Contraindications:

• Do not administer intravenously.

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category A

• Potency is expressed in the form of International Units (IU)

• Patients may develop hypervitaminosis E with excessive dosages.  Symptoms of hypervitaminosis E are fatigue, weakness, nausea, headache, blurred vision, flatulence, and diarrhea.

• Vitamin E may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants, possible bleeding may occur.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• Relatively non-toxic in therapeutic doses

Dosage:

• Dietary sources: vegetable oils, green vegetables (broccoli), whole grains, wheat germ, nuts

• Administered in oral soft gelatin capsules and oral solution and drops

• Dietary supplementation (RDA: recommended daily allowance):

  • Adult males: 15 IU per day

  • Adult females: 12 IU per day