Untitled Document
When taken by mouth: Vitamin E is LIKELY SAFE for most healthy people when taken by mouth in amounts lower than 1000 mg daily. This is the same as 1100 IU of synthetic vitamin E (all-rac-alpha-tocopherol) or 1500 IU of natural vitamin E (RRR-alpha-tocopherol). Keep in mind that the risk of side effects increases with higher doses. Side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue, weakness, headache, blurred vision, rash, and bruising and bleeding. Vitamin E is POSSIBLY UNSAFE if taken by mouth in doses greater than 1000 mg daily.
When applied to the skin: Vitamin E is LIKELY SAFE for most healthy people when applied to the skin. While rare, applying vitamin E to the skin has caused itching and swelling in some people.
When inhaled: Vitamin E is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when inhaled. Use of e-cigarettes and other vaping products containing vitamin E as vitamin E acetate has been linked to serious lung injury in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: When used in the recommended daily amount, vitamin E is
POSSIBLY SAFE for pregnant women. There has been some concern that taking vitamin E supplements might be harmful to the fetus when taken in early pregnancy. But it is too soon to know if this is an important concern. Until more is known, do not take vitamin E supplements during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy without speaking with your healthcare provider. During late pregnancy, the maximum recommended amount of vitamin E is 800 mg in women 14-18 years of age and 1000 mg in women older than 18 years of age.
Breast-feeding: Vitamin E is
LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in recommended daily amounts during breastfeeding. The maximum recommended amount of vitamin E is 800 mg in breastfeeding women 14-18 years of age and 1000 mg in breastfeeding women older than 18 years of age. Vitamin E is
POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in doses greater than the maximum recommended amount.
Infants and children: Vitamin E is
LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately. But children should avoid taking doses of vitamin E higher than the daily upper limits, which are 300 IU in children 1-3 years of age, 450 IU in children 4-8 years of age, 900 IU in children 9-13 years of age, and 1200 IU in children 14-18 years of age. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is
POSSIBLY UNSAFE when given intravenously (by IV) to premature infants in high doses or when vitamin E is taken by mouth in doses greater than the daily upper limits.
A procedure to open a blocked or narrowed blood vessel (angioplasty): Avoid taking supplements containing vitamin E or other antioxidant vitamins (beta-carotene, vitamin C) immediately before and following angioplasty without the supervision of a health care professional. These vitamins seem to interfere with proper healing.
Bleeding disorders: Vitamin E might make bleeding disorders worse. If you have a bleeding disorder, avoid taking vitamin E supplements.
Diabetes: Vitamin E might increase the risk for heart failure in people with diabetes. People with diabetes should avoid taking doses of vitamin E greater than 400 IU daily.
Head and neck cancer: Do not take vitamin E supplements in doses greater than 400 IU daily. Vitamin E might increase the chance that cancer will return.
Liver disease: Vitamin E taken for 2 years or more can worsen insulin resistance when given with a liver disease called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Heart attack: Vitamin E might increase the risk for death in people with a history of heart attack. People with a history of heart attack should avoid taking doses of vitamin E greater than 400 IU daily.
Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis): Exercise is sometimes used by people with osteoporosis to improve bone strength. Exercising and taking high doses of vitamin E and vitamin C might lessen the benefits of exercise on bone strength.
Prostate cancer: There is concern that taking vitamin E might increase the chance of developing prostate cancer. The effect of vitamin E in men who currently have prostate cancer isn't clear. However, in theory, taking vitamin E supplements might worsen prostate cancer in men who already have it.
An inherited eye condition that causes poor night vision and loss of side vision (retinitis pigmentosa): All-rac-alpha-tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E) 400 IU seems to speed vision loss in people with retinitis pigmentosa. However, much lower amounts (3 IU) do not seem to produce this effect. If you have this condition, it is best to avoid vitamin E supplements.
Stroke: Vitamin E might increase the risk for death in people with a history of stroke. People with a history of stroke should avoid taking doses of vitamin E greater than 400 IU daily.
Surgery: Vitamin E might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using vitamin E at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Low levels of vitamin K (vitamin K deficiency): Vitamin E might worsen clotting problems in people whose levels of vitamin K are too low.
*
