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PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

alpha-Tocopherol [Vitamin E] (C H O )
29 50 2
Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that is important for maintaining stability of cell membranes.
Vitamin E supplementation increases antioxidant capacity and can play a potential beneficial role
in the prevention or treatment of several diseases in dogs (Raila et al., 2011). Vitamin E deficiency
may cause pathologic change in smooth muscle, central nervous system, skeletal muscle, and
retina in dogs (Ettinger & Feldman, 2000b). Pansteatitis is associated with a vitamin E deficiency
in cats that are habitually or exclusively fed high fat diets, particularly red tuna or other oily fish.
Vitamin E supplementation is beneficial in the treatment of pansteatitis (Ettinger & Feldman,
2000a).

TOXICOLOGY Toxicity for vitamin E has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered orally in therapeutic doses.

Vitamin E is generally regarded as one of the least toxic fat-soluble vitamins. The oral LD alpha-tocopherol
50
acetate for rats, mice and rabbits has been estimated to be >2 g/kg of body weight (NRC, 1987).

DRUG Vitamin E might slow blood clotting. Taking vitamin E along with anticoagulant drugs, such
INTERACTIONS as warfarin; antiplatelet drugs, such as clopidogrel and dipyridamole; and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen, and others might increase the
chances of bruising and bleeding. Also, individuals on anticoagulant therapy or individuals who are
vitamin K deficient should not take alpha-tocopherol supplements without close medical supervision
because of the increased risk of hemorrhage (DRI, 2000). Vitamin E increases xenobiotic pathways
that increase hepatic metabolism and excretion of all vitamin K forms (Traber, 2008). A number
of medications may decrease the absorption of vitamin E, including cholestyramine, colestipol,
isoniazid, mineral oil, orlistat, sucralfate, and the fat substitute, olestra. Anticonvulsant drugs, such as
phenobarbital, phenytoin, or carbamazepine, may decrease plasma levels of vitamin E (DRI 2000;
Hendler & Rorvik, 2001).

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