What is Vitamin E?

An example of Vitamin E

Antioxidants such as vitamin E act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of energy metabolism. It is the collective name for a set of 8 related tocopherols and tocotrienols, fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant properties.

Reported Purpose & Perceived Effectiveness

Reasons and Perceived effectiveness
Perceived Effectiveness
Purpose # of patients # of patients with evaluations
Major
Moderate
Slight
None
Can’t tell
502 63 Efficacy_major Efficacy_moderate Efficacy_slight Efficacy_none Efficacy_cant_tell
250 36 Efficacy_moderate Efficacy_slight Efficacy_none Efficacy_cant_tell
41 8 Efficacy_major Efficacy_cant_tell
20 2 Efficacy_cant_tell
16 3 Efficacy_cant_tell
15 4 Efficacy_moderate Efficacy_cant_tell

See all 936 patients currently taking Vitamin E

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Reported Side Effects

Side effects as an overall problem

Severe
0
Moderate
1
Mild
3
None
141

Commonly reported side effects, conditions, and hospitalizations associated with Vitamin E

1
1

Reported Dosages

Frequently reported dosages based on patients currently taking Vitamin E. See all 87 dosages

  daily 100 intl units daily 200 intl units daily 400 daily 400 intl units daily 800 intl units daily 800 daily 1,000 intl units daily 1,000 mg daily 1,200 intl units daily
  147 Number of Patients: 147 33 Number of Patients: 33 50 Number of Patients: 50 26 Number of Patients: 26 369 Number of Patients: 369 97 Number of Patients: 97 21 Number of Patients: 21 34 Number of Patients: 34 22 Number of Patients: 22 32 Number of Patients: 32  

Reported Stop Reasons

Why Patients Stopped Taking Vitamin E (multiple reasons could be selected)
Reason # Patients Percentage of patients
Other 92   Other: 41%
Did not seem to work 68   Did not seem to work: 30%
Personal research 34   Personal research: 15%
Doctor's advice 23   Doctor's advice: 10%
Not indicated 15   Not indicated: 7%
Expense 15   Expense: 7%
Course of treatment ended 6   Course of treatment ended: 3%
Side effects too severe 4   Side effects too severe: 2%
Change in health plan coverage 3   Change in health plan coverage: 1%

See all 217 patients who’ve stopped taking Vitamin E

Currently Taking Vitamin E

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0-1 month 1-3 months 3-6 months 6 months-1year 1-2 years 2 years or more

Stopped Taking Vitamin E

A bar graph

0-1 month 1-3 months 3-6 months 6 months-1year 1-2 years 2 years or more

Reported Adherence, Burden & Cost See details from patient evaluations

Adherence

Taking treatment as prescribed

Adherence of Vitamin E

Always
84 58%
Usually
43 30%
Sometimes
8 6%
Never
10 7%

Burden

Difficulty being on treatment

Burden of Vitamin E

Very
4 3%
Somewhat
5 3%
A little
15 10%
Not at all
121 83%

Cost

Paid out of pocket

Cost of Vitamin E

$200+
1 1%
$100-199
0 0%
$50-99
2 2%
$25-49
5 6%
< $25
74 90%

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41 patient evaluations for Vitamin E

Purpose: General health (Started Mar 18, 2011)
Date Dosage Perceived effectiveness Side Effects Adherence Burden
Apr 15, 2012 400 intl units Daily Led_efficacy_1Led_defaultLed_defaultLed_defaultNone NoneNoneNoneNoneNone AlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlways Not at allNot at allNot at allNot at allNot at all
  • Icon_thumb_off 0 helpful marks
Purpose: ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) (Started Oct 07, 1980)
Date Dosage Perceived effectiveness Side Effects Adherence Burden
Feb 01, 2012 2000 intl units Daily ?Can't tell ModerateModerateModerateModerateModerate AlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlways A littleA littleA littleA littleA little
Date
Feb 01, 2012
Advice & Tips
This is a vitamin supplement which I easily swallowed as gel capsules, with milk. I stopped only because I suspect it contributes to my itchiness.
Cost
< $25 monthly
  • Icon_thumb_off 0 helpful marks
Purpose: General health (Started Sep 27, 1998)
Date Dosage Perceived effectiveness Side Effects Adherence Burden
Jan 31, 2012 400 intl units Daily ?Can't tell NoneNoneNoneNoneNone UsuallyUsuallyUsuallyUsuallyUsually Not at allNot at allNot at allNot at allNot at all
Dec 01, 2008 400 intl units Daily ?Can't tell NoneNoneNoneNoneNone AlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlways Not at allNot at allNot at allNot at allNot at all
Date
Jan 31, 2012
Advice & Tips
I read that excessive vitamin E can worsen osteoporosis so I have quit taking the supplemental 400 iu daily for a year to see what affect it migh have on my bone density.
Cost
< $25 monthly
  • Icon_thumb_off 0 helpful marks
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What is vitamin E?

Vitamin E is found in foods such as vegetable oils and shortening, meat, eggs, milk, and leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is important for many processes in the body.

Vitamin E is used to treat vitamin E deficiency.

Vitamin E may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.


Precautions

Before taking vitamin E, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

Before taking vitamin E, tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin). You may not be able to take vitamin E, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Do not take a vitamin E supplement without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Do not take a vitamin E supplement without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while you are taking vitamin E unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a vitamin E overdose may include fatigue, weakness, nausea, headache, blurred vision, flatulence, and diarrhea.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

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Side Effects

Stop taking vitamin E and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other less serious side effects may occur, especially with large doses or prolonged use. Talk to your doctor if you experience

  • fatigue,
  • weakness,
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • blurred vision, or
  • flatulence or diarrhea.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Interactions

Before taking vitamin E, tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin). You may not be able to take vitamin E, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with vitamin E. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements.

Other Names

Alpha E, Amino-Opti-E, Aqua-E, Aquasol E, Aquavite-E, Centrum Singles-Vitamin E, E Pherol, E-400 Clear, Nutr-E-Sol, TheraTears Nutrition, Vita-Plus E Natural, alpha tocopherol, tocopherol, vitamin E, Aqueous Vitamin E, and TheraTears Nutrition (obsolete)

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Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04

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