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Vitamin E (Fat-Soluble Vitamin)

Alpha Tocopherol

Brand names: Ephynal, various vitamin E preparations

Alpha-tocopherol is the principal biologically active form of vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin used to prevent and treat vitamin E deficiency, including in malabsorption states and certain inherited disorders.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It acts as a lipid-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids from oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals.

Prescribing in practice

  • Excessive intake may impair haemostasis and can potentiate the effect of anticoagulants such as warfarin, increasing bleeding risk.
  • Deficiency is uncommon other than in fat malabsorption, abetalipoproteinaemia and some neonates, so confirm a genuine indication.
  • Absorption depends on dietary fat and bile, so consider this in patients with cholestasis or malabsorption.

Monitoring

Monitoring is usually clinical and based on the underlying deficiency state; serum vitamin E concentrations may be checked where significant deficiency or malabsorption is suspected.

Counselling the patient

  • Vitamin E is best absorbed when taken with food containing some fat.
  • Tell your clinician if you take blood-thinning medicines.
  • Do not take large doses without medical advice.

Evidence & guidelines

Vitamin E supplementation is established for treating and preventing deficiency, while routine high-dose use for chronic disease prevention is not supported by current evidence.

Reference: NICE CKS Vitamin deficiency; British Inherited Metabolic Diseases Group guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways