Medication Summary

Comparison of the recommended daily allowance (RDA), deficiency replacement dose, and preventive dose in international units (IUs) and milligrams is shown in the image below.

Comparison of the recommended daily allowance (RDA), deficiency replacement dose, and preventive dose in international units (IUs) and milligrams.

The RDA of alpha tocopherol according to age is as follows:

Age 0-6 months - 3 mg
Age 6-12 months - 4 mg
Age 1-3 years - 6 mg
Age 4-10 years - 7 mg
Adults and elderly individuals - 8-10 mg

Prevention

Vitamin E supplementation is important, because apparently effective doses are beyond the maximum dietary intake. Supplementation with vitamin E is extremely safe except when normal coagulation mechanisms are impaired.

Replacement recommendations according to disease state are as follows:

Abetalipoproteinemia - 100-200 IU/kg/d
Chronic cholestasis - 15-25 IU/kg/d
Cystic fibrosis - 5-10 IU/kg/d
Short-bowel syndrome - 200-3600 IU/d
Isolated vitamin E deficiency - 800-3600 IU/d

Larger doses are required in short-bowel syndrome and isolated vitamin E deficiency state.

Pregnancy/lactation

Vitamin E is in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) pregnancy category A. Breastfeeding is safe.

Class Summary

Essential for normal cell function.

Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)

View full drug information

Protects cell membranes from free radical attacks.

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