Vitamin E is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in foods such as vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Vitamin E is also known as All Rac-Alpha-Tocopherol, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Succinate, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, and other names.

Vitamin E is likely effective in alternative medicine as an aid in treating a condition that affects movement and motor control (ataxia with vitamin E deficiency) caused by very low vitamin E levels in the blood and to treat and prevent vitamin E deficiency.

Vitamin E has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating Alzheimer disease, beta-thalassemia, menstrual pain, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nitrate tolerance, premenstrual syndrome, reducing the risk for bleeding into the brain or inside the skull, and improving symptoms in people with a movement disorder (tardive dyskinesia).

Vitamin E has also been used to treat or prevent macular degeneration (age-related vision loss), a nerve-muscle disorder (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease), hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), atopic dermatitis (eczema), cataracts, high blood pressure, liver disease, parkinson's disease, pre-eclampsia, scarring caused by surgery, and pain or stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. However, research has shown that vitamin E may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Other uses not proven with research have included asthma, dementia, depression, diabetes, Down syndrome, infertility, inflammatory bowel disease, menopausal symptoms, muscular dystrophy, obesity, osteoporosis, low bone mineral density (osteopenia), restless legs syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, stroke, sunburn, and uveitis.

It is not certain whether vitamin E is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Vitamin E should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Vitamin E is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Vitamin E may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have or have ever had:

• bleeding problems;
• an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa;
• a vitamin K deficiency;
• diabetes;
• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density;
• heart disease;
• cancer;
• a stroke; or
• kidney disease.

Ask a doctor before using this product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are breastfeeding.

Do not give vitamin E to a child without medical advice.

Use Xcellent E (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Using high doses of vitamin E might increase the risk of certain side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), abnormal vaginal bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop;
• heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or
• bleeding in your brain--sudden weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, problems with speech or vision.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea;
• bleeding;
• feeling tired; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Vitamin E can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. Tell your doctor if you are using an iron supplement.

Do not use different forms of vitamin E (pills, liquids, and others) at the same time or you could have an overdose.

Avoid using vitamin E together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, dandelion, danshen, evening primrose, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and willow.