Vitamin E is an antioxidant and it is the name of a group of eight fat soluble vitamins, known as tocepierols and tocotrienols. It is not only used when Vitamin E deficiency is noticed, vitamin E is rare and usually caused by an underlying problems with digesting fat. Vitamin E dissolves in fat and it is food in many foods including vegetable oils, cereals, meats, eggs and wheat germ.
Dosage of vitamin E
Vitamin E is available in oral capsules, oral solution, compound powder, oral liquid, oral and topical oil.
The dosage varies with age, severity of condition. It is available in 1000IU and 1500U1for adults and smaller doses for children.
Uses of vitamin E
– Vitamin E is used to treat and prevent diseases of the heart, blood vessels lncuding hardening of the arteries, heart attack, chest pain, high blood pressure. – It is also used to prevent diabetes and its complications – It helps in preventive lung and oral cancer in smokers – Prevention of complications in late pregnancy due to high blood pressure, premenstrual syndrome, menopausal syndrome. – Topical vitamin applied to the skin can keep it from aging
Contraindication of vitamin E
– Vitamin E cannot be used if a patient has vitamin k deficiency – Bleeding disorders – Diabetes – Head and neck cancer – Liver disease
Side effects of vitamin E
If vitamin e is taken in high doses, the higher the dose the greater the risk of side effects. Research says taking 300-800IU of vitamin e can increase a patient’s it’s of having hemorrhagic stroke. Below are the side effects of vitamin e – Nausea – Diarrhea – Rash – Dermatitis – Intestinal cramps Interactions – Vitamin e should not be used with iron replacement drugs like ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate and warfarin – Alcohol may cause dizziness, nausea, and it should not be taken with vitamin e
Nurse’s Responsibility when administering vitamin E
– Know the 7Rs of drug administration – When you notice any drug reaction, inform the physician and drugs should be discontinued – Patient with heart disorder should be monitored closely, to avoid stroke. – When you notice bleeding, it could be a drug reaction, it should be discontinued – For out patient patients, explain chances of having drug reaction and dosage correctly to patient. Happy new week!
Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
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