medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined at a glance
Medicine class
Intravenous fat emulsion for parenteral nutrition
Main role
Provides calories and essential fatty acids when intravenous nutrition is required
Administration
Given into a vein under clinical supervision; it is not swallowed
Important allergy check
Must not be used with relevant egg, soya or peanut hypersensitivity
What is medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined used for?
The selected product is licensed as a source of calories and essential fatty acids for people requiring parenteral nutrition.
Used when nutrition must be supplied directly into the bloodstream because the gut cannot be used or does not absorb enough nutrients.
May form the lipid component of complete parenteral nutrition alongside carbohydrate, amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins and trace elements.
How does medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined work?
The triglycerides are broken down into fatty acids that tissues can use for energy. Medium-chain triglycerides are cleared and oxidised relatively quickly, while refined soya-bean oil supplies long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that help prevent essential-fatty-acid deficiency.
How to take medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined
This product is administered by intravenous infusion by, or under the supervision of, a trained healthcare team.
It may be infused through a suitable peripheral vein or used as part of a compatible parenteral-nutrition system.
The container and emulsion should be checked before use; damaged containers or emulsions showing separation or discolouration must not be used.
The emulsion should be gently shaken and allowed to reach room temperature without using a heating device.
Do not add medicines or other infusion solutions unless compatibility has been established.
For children from preterm birth to 2 years, the emulsion and administration set must be protected from light throughout administration.
medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined side effects
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic reaction, including rash, facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or anaphylaxis
- Breathlessness or bluish skin
- Fat-overload syndrome, which may cause fever, very high blood fats, jaundice, enlarged liver or spleen, blood-count or clotting abnormalities and reduced consciousness
- Metabolic acidosis or marked disturbances of blood glucose or lipids
- Cholestasis, low white-cell count or low platelet count
medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined in pregnancy
Evidence in pregnancy is limited. Parenteral nutrition may sometimes be necessary, but this lipid emulsion should be used only after the specialist team has considered the expected benefits and possible risks.
medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined while breastfeeding
Product components or their metabolites can enter breast milk, although effects on the breastfed infant are not anticipated at therapeutic exposure. The product information generally advises against breastfeeding while a mother is receiving parenteral nutrition, so this requires discussion with the specialist team.
medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined interactions
The clinical team should know about all medicines being used, particularly anticoagulants and anything intended for the same intravenous line.
Heparin
It temporarily changes lipoprotein-lipase activity and may alter triglyceride clearance.
Coumarin anticoagulants, including warfarin
The small natural vitamin K content is not expected to have a major effect, but coagulation should still be monitored.
Other intravenous medicines or electrolyte concentrates
Do not mix or co-infuse unless pharmaceutical compatibility has been confirmed, because the emulsion may become unstable or form particles.
Common questions about medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined used for?
It supplies intravenous calories and essential fatty acids as part of parenteral nutrition when adequate nutrition cannot be provided through the gut.
Is medium-chain triglycerides + soya bean oil, refined a food supplement?
No. The selected product is a sterile intravenous lipid emulsion administered under clinical supervision.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.