VITAMIN E

Brand & Generic Names

Aquasol E
Chew-E
Eprolin
Epsilan-M
Pheryl-E
Viterra E
Numerous other multiple vitam	in-mineral supplements. Check
labels.

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Vitamin supplement

Uses

• Dietary supplement to promote normal growth, development and health.
• Treatment and prevention of vitamin-E deficiency, especially in premature or low birth-weight infants.
• Treatment for fibrocystic disease of the breast.
• Treatment for circulatory problems to the lower extremities.
• Treatment for sickle-cell anemia.
• Treatment for lung toxicity from air pollution.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
Drops--Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing or squirt directly into mouth.
Injection--Take under doctor's supervision.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take when you remember. Don't double next dose.

What drug does:
Promotes normal growth and development.
Prevents oxidation in body.

Time lapse before drug works:
Not determined.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Nausea, vomiting, fatigue.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Breast enlargement, dizziness, headache.

Infrequent:

Nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, pain in lower legs, fever, tiredness, weakness.

Rare:

Blurred vision, diarrhea.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to vitamin E.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have had blood clots in leg veins (thrombophlebitis).
• If you have liver disease.

Over age 60:
No problems expected. Avoid excessive doses.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected with normal daily requirements. Don't exceed prescribed dose. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Toxic accumulation of vitamin E. Don't exceed recommended dose.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
No problems expected.

Others:
A balanced diet should provide all the vitamin E a healthy person needs and make supplements unnecessary. Best sources are vegetable oils, whole-grain cereals, liver.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Cholestyramine	Decreased vitamin E absorption.
Colestipol	Decreased vitamin E absorption.
Iron supplements*	Possible decreased effect of iron
	supplement in patients with iron-
	deficiency anemia. Decreased
	vitamin E effect in healthy
	persons.
Mineral oil	Decreased vitamin E effect.
Neomycin	Decreased vitamin E absorption.
Vitamin A	Recommended dose of vitamin
	E--Increased benefit and decreased
	toxicity of vitamin A. Excess dose
	of vitamin E--Vitamin A depletion.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.