tocofersolan at a glance
Medicine class
Water-miscible vitamin E preparation and prodrug of d-alpha-tocopherol.
Licensed use
Vitamin E deficiency caused by digestive malabsorption in full-term newborns, children and adolescents with congenital or hereditary chronic cholestasis.
Monitoring
Blood vitamin E levels are monitored regularly. Kidney, liver or coagulation monitoring may also be needed.
What is tocofersolan used for?
It is licensed for:
Treating vitamin E deficiency caused by digestive malabsorption in paediatric patients with congenital or hereditary chronic cholestasis, from full-term birth to 18 years.
How does tocofersolan work?
Tocofersolan links vitamin E to polyethylene glycol, helping it form micelles and be absorbed when bile-dependent fat absorption is impaired. It is broken down in the gut to active d-alpha-tocopherol, an antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes.
tocofersolan preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg/mL
How to take tocofersolan
Use the oral solution exactly as prescribed.
Measure it only with the oral syringe supplied.
It may be taken before or during a meal, with or without water.
Give it directly into the mouth or add it to a glass of water and drink the entire glass.
Close the bottle and wash the syringe with water after use.
Do not mix it with other medicines because compatibility has not been established.
tocofersolan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea.
Get urgent medical advice
- Call 999 for symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as throat or tongue swelling, difficulty breathing or collapse.
- If taking a vitamin K antagonist, obtain immediate assessment for severe or recurrent bleeding.
tocofersolan in pregnancy
There are no clinical data from exposed pregnancies. Animal studies have not indicated reproductive harm, but use during pregnancy requires caution and individual assessment by the specialist or prescriber.
tocofersolan while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether tocofersolan enters human milk. The prescriber should balance the benefit of breastfeeding for the child against the benefit of treatment for the mother.
tocofersolan interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Important potential interactions include:
Vitamin K antagonists, including warfarin
Vitamin E may increase bleeding tendency. Coagulation testing and anticoagulant review may be required during and after treatment.
Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
Their intestinal absorption may increase, so clinical or laboratory monitoring may be needed.
Highly lipophilic medicines
Absorption of medicines such as steroids, some antibiotics, antihistamines, ciclosporin and tacrolimus may increase. Monitor effects and concentrations where appropriate.
Common questions about tocofersolan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is tocofersolan used in chronic cholestasis?
Cholestasis impairs absorption of fats and ordinary fat-soluble vitamin E. Tocofersolan is water-miscible and can be absorbed more effectively in this setting.
Is it the same as an ordinary vitamin E supplement?
No. It is a polyethylene-glycol-linked form that becomes active vitamin E in the gut and has different bioavailability from other vitamin E products.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.