vitamin e

REMS

PO: Used as a dietary supplement.
Used in low-birth-weight infants to prevent and treat hemolysis due to vitamin E deficiency.
Treatment of irritated, chapped, or dry skin.

Action ⬆ ⬇

Prevents the oxidation (antioxidant) of other substances.
Protects RBC membranes against hemolysis, especially in low-birth-weight neonates.

Therapeutic effects:

Prevention and treatment of deficiency in high-risk patients.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: 20–80% absorbed following oral administration. Absorption requires fat and bile salts.

Distribution: Widely distributed, stored in adipose tissue (4-yr supply).

Metabolism/Excretion: Metabolized by the liver, excreted in bile.

Half-Life: Unknown.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity to ingredients in preparations (parabens, propylene, glycol).

Use Cautiously in:

Anemia due to iron deficiency;
Vitamin K deficiency (may ↑ risk of bleeding);
Pedi: Oral administration may cause necrotizing enterocolitis in low-birth-weight infants.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Seen primarily with large doses over long periods of time

Derm: rash

EENT: blurred vision

Endo: gonadal dysfunction

GI: cramps, diarrhea, nausea, NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS (ORAL ADMINISTRATION IN LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS)

Neuro: fatigue, headache, weakness

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

Cholestyramine, colestipol, orlistat, mineral oil, and sucralfate↓ absorption.
May ↓ hematologic response to iron supplements.
May ↑ the risk of bleeding with warfarin or aspirin.

Drug-Natural Products:

↑bleeding risk with anise, arnica, chamomile, clove, dong quai, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, licorice, and others.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Other dosing regimens may be used
PO (Adults and Children ): Determined by nutritional intake or degree of deficiency.
(Adults and Children ): Apply to affected areas as needed.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Capsules: 100 unitsOTC; 200 unitsOTC; 400 unitsOTC; 600 unitsOTC; 800 unitsOTC; 1000 unitsOTC
Oral solution: 26.6 units/mLOTC; 50 units/mLOTC; 77 units/mLOTC
Tablets: 100 unitsOTC; 200 unitsOTC; 400 unitsOTC; 500 unitsOTC; 800 unitsOTC
Chewable tablets: 400 unitsOTC
Ointment: OTC
Cream: OTC
Lotion: OTC
Oil: OTC

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Assess patient for signs of vitamin E deficiency (neonates: irritability, edema, hemolytic anemia, creatinuria; adults/children [rare]: muscle weakness, ceroid deposits, anemia, creatinuria) prior to and periodically throughout therapy.
Assess nutritional status through 24-hr diet recall. Determine frequency of consumption of vitamin E–rich foods.

Lab Test Considerations:

Large doses may increase cholesterol, triglyceride, and CPK levels.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

PO: Administer with or after meals.
- Chewable tablets should be chewed well or crushed before swallowing. Solution may be dropped directly into mouth or mixed with cereal, fruit juice, or other food. Use calibrated dropper supplied by manufacturer to measure solution accurately.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Instruct patient to take medication as directed. If a dose is missed, it should be omitted, because fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body for long periods.
Encourage patient to comply with diet recommendations of health care professional. Explain that the best source of vitamins is a well-balanced diet with foods from the four basic food groups.
Foods high in vitamin E include vegetable oils, wheat germ, whole-grain cereals, egg yolk, and liver. Vitamin E content is not markedly affected by cooking.
Patients self-medicating with vitamin supplements should be cautioned not to exceed RDA. The effectiveness of megadoses for treatment of various medical conditions is unproved, and this may cause side effects and toxicity.
Review symptoms of overdosage (blurred vision, flu-like symptoms, headache, breast enlargement). Instruct patient to report these promptly to health care professional.
Mineral oil may interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and should not be used concurrently.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Prevention of or decrease in the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency.
Control of dry or chapped skin.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

alpha tocopherol, Amino-Opti-E, Aquasol E, E-200, E-400, E-1000, E-Complex-600, E-Vitamin, Liqui-E, Pheryl-E, Vita Plus E

Canadian Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Code ⬆

NDC Code

70236- NeoBiotech Global Corporation
- 70236-103- Acne C-Patch
  - 70236-103-02- 7 PATCH in 1 POUCH (70236-103-02) > 2 g in 1 PATCH (70236-103-01)

section name header

Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇