Medium Chain Triglycerides

(mee DEE um chane trye GLIS er ides)

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as a liquid.

Pharmacologic Category

• Nutritional Supplement

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to coconuts, coconut oil, medium chain triglycerides or any other part of this medicine.
• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• Medium chain triglyceride oil is used as a dietary supplement.
• It may be used if your child has a digestive (malabsorption) disorder.
• It may be used if your child has epilepsy (seizures) or another condition as part of a high fat (ketogenic) diet.

How does this medicine work?

• Medium chain triglycerides provide a dietary fat source of nutrition.
• It is absorbed faster and more easily than other oils (fats).

How is this medicine given?

• Give prescription as directed.
• Give with an equal volume of water or fruit juice at room temperature.
• Give this medicine with food to prevent upset stomach.
• May use as salad dressing or in cooking.
• Children who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• It may take several days to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule.
• Do not change dose or stop your child's medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If your child has diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If your child has gastrointestinal disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• May damage plastic containers and utensils.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Belly pain.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea or vomiting.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• For the occurrence of side effects.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider or emergency department immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.
• If your child has severe nausea or vomiting.
• If your child has severe belly pain.
• If your child has severe skin irritation.
• If your child's seizures are worse or different after starting this medicine.
• If your child develops a rash.
• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.
• Throw away any unused portion after 3 months.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear allergy identification at all times.
• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.
• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.

Note: Clicking these links will take you to a site outside of KidsHealth's control.