The prescription medication atorvastatin, available as the brand Lipitor, reduces levels of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood. This is a theorized benefit of vitamin E as well. Vitamin E generally does not affect the activity of cholesterol medications unless you take the vitamin in a combination of certain other nutrients. Consult your doctor before adding vitamin E supplements to your health regimen.
Lipitor
Lipitor is classified as a statin medication--it slows the body's production of cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood can accumulate on the interior walls of the blood vessels and harden into plaque, which reduces or blocks blood flow. Keeping total cholesterol levels in a lower range reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke, according to PubMed Health.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E also has been purported to lower cholesterol, but research findings are conflicting, advises MedlinePlus. In addition, studies have not provided evidence that taking vitamin E supplements on a routine basis prevents cardiovascular disease or reduces its effects, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Then again, the studies have primarily focused on middle-aged and elderly people who already have heart disease or are at increased risk.
Interactions
Drugs.com does not list an interaction between vitamin E and Lipitor. Taking an antioxidant complex that includes vitamin E along with vitamin C, beta-carotene and selenium has been connected with lowered effectiveness of simvastatin, another statin medication, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Specifically, the complex inhibited the rise of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as good cholesterol.
Considerations
If you'd like to start taking vitamin E supplements, the recommended dietary allowance for people 14 years of age and older is 15 mg, or 22.4 IU, per day. The tolerable upper intake level, or the maximum amount you should take as established by the Food and Nutrition Board, is 1,000 mg, or 1,500 IU, per day for adults 19 years of age and older. The tolerable upper intake level is based on the risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with high doses of vitamin E. Taking doses close to or higher than this level can cause side effects of nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bruising, unusual bleeding, fatigue, weakness, headaches, blurred vision and a rash. Research has not found any negative effects from eating foods containing vitamin E, says the Office of Dietary Supplements.
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