vitamin e

This supplement is used to prevent or treat a lack of vitamin E in the body. A low body level of vitamin E is rare. Most people who eat a normal diet do not need extra vitamin E. However, vitamin E supplements are used in premature newborns and in people who have problems absorbing enough vitamin E from their diets. Vitamin E is important in protecting your body's cells from damage. It is known as an antioxidant.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Take this product by mouth as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you are using a liquid form of this product, carefully measure your dose using a medication-measuring device or spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than recommended. Taking too much vitamin E may increase your risk of side effects. High doses of vitamin E (400 units or more per day) may increase the chance of rare but very serious side effects. There is no proof that high doses of vitamin E help to prevent or treat heart disease. There is very little evidence that it helps prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease. In some people, taking these high doses may even be harmful. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist and discuss the risks and benefits before taking vitamin E supplements. If your doctor prescribes this product for vitamin E deficiency, use it regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. You should see improvement of symptoms such as numbness/tingling of the hands/feet and weakness. If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

If you are taking this product under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you use any of the following products: bile acid-binding resins (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), iron supplements, mineral oil. If you are also taking orlistat, separate the time between orlistat and vitamin E doses by at least 2 hours. Check the labels on all your prescription and nonprescription/herbal products because they may contain vitamin E. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using those products safely. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If your doctor has prescribed this product, do not share it with others. Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments. Eat a well-balanced diet. Foods high in vitamin E include vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, whole grain cereals, meat, poultry, and green leafy vegetables.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before taking vitamin E, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other ingredients listed on the package label; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as soybeans), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: blood clotting/bleeding disorders, kidney problems, liver problems, high blood fats (cholesterol/triglycerides), recent or planned surgery. At high dosages, this product may rarely cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Some brands of this product may contain sugar, alcohol, or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store according to the product package directions away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all drug products away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

See also How to Use section. Vitamin E does not usually cause side effects when used in recommended doses. However, vitamin E may cause side effects if taken at high doses (400 units or more per day) or for a long period of time. In these situations, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, tiredness, dizziness, blurred vision, and headache may rarely occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy or unusual bleeding/bruising. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.