Interactions with Other Nutrients and Drugs

Vitamin E exerts antioxidant effects in combination with other antioxidants, including β-carotene, vitamin C, and selenium. Vitamin C can restore vitamin E to its natural reduced form. Vitamin E is necessary for the action of vitamin A and may protect against some of the adverse effects of excessive vitamin A. Because inorganic iron destroys vitamin E, the two should not be taken simultaneously. Cholestyramine, mineral oil, and alcohol may reduce the absorption of vitamin E [44].

Based on the results of a single case report, there has been concern that coadministration of vitamin E with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) may enhance their effects [44, 47].However, a randomized clinical trial that investigated the effects of vitamin E administration in patients on long-term warfarin therapy found no significant change, and the researchers concluded that vitamin E may safely be given to patients receiving warfarin [48, 49].