Drug & supplement interaction

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) + Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone brand names: Decadron, Hexadrol, Dexone, Ozurdex, Dexycu, and others.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Dexamethasone and Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) at all — not against Dexamethasone, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) safety at a glance

Medium Chain Trigl... overall Use caution Generally well tolerated in moderate amounts but can cause digestive upset, especially at higher doses.
Pregnancy Use caution Small amounts from food are fine, but supplement-level doses have not been well studied; check with your doctor.
Breastfeeding Use caution MCTs occur naturally in breast milk, but added supplement doses are not well studied; talk to your doctor first.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Dexamethasone and Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do.

  • Weight gain Additional detail

    Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)

    “Orally, MCTs can cause significant gastrointestinal upset, especially with higher doses.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, essential fatty acid deficiency, intestinal gas noises, irritability, nausea, reflux, vomiting. Gastrointestinal disturbances are thought to be associated with higher doses of MCT. Since MCTs are fats, excessive consumption can result in weight gain.”

    Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    Dexamethasone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Dexamethasone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Mood changes or irritability / Nausea / Vomiting reported in 4.8% of FDA reports for Dexamethasone Additional detail

    Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)

    “Orally, MCTs can cause significant gastrointestinal upset. Diarrhea is the most commonly reported side effect. Other reported side effects include vomiting, irritability, nausea, reflux, abdominal discomfort, intestinal gas noises, and essential fatty acid deficiency. Taking MCTs with food can reduce these adverse effects.”

    Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    5 sources cited
    1. 11723. Ruppin DC, Middleton WR. Clinical use of medium chain triglycerides. Drugs 1980;20:216-24. DOI
    2. 93737. Brighenti F. Dietary fructans and serum triacylglycerols: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11 Suppl):2552S-2556S. doi: 10.1093/jn/137.11.2552S. PubMed
    3. 93738. St-Onge MP, Mayrsohn B, O'Keeffe M, Kissileff HR, Choudhury AR, Laferrère B. Impact of medium and long chain triglycerides consumption on appetite and food intake in overweight men. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Oct;68(10):1134-40. PubMed
    4. 101967. Borges K, Kaul N, Germaine J, Kwan P, O'Brien TJ. Randomized trial of add-on triheptanoin vs medium chain triglycerides in adults with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia Open. 2019;4(1):153-163. PubMed
    5. 93731. Clegg ME. Medium-chain triglycerides are advantageous in promoting weight loss although not beneficial to exercise performance. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Nov;61(7):653-79. PubMed

    Dexamethasone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Dexamethasone, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) but not commonly for Dexamethasone: stomach upset, bloating or gas, diarrhea and heartburn.

Effects for Dexamethasone come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 308,307 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Dexamethasone that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

From our Q&A

Questions About Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) or Dexamethasone

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) or Dexamethasone, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Dexamethasone

This page covers Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Dexamethasone page lists 221 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), Lily-of-the-valley (major), St. John's Wort (major) and Acacia Rigidula (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 182 moderate · 35 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Dexamethasone page

“People take dexamethasone for serious reasons, a chemotherapy course, an autoimmune flare, brain swelling, so I want anyone on it to give its 221 supplement interactions genuine attention, starting with the four rated major. Grapefruit and St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Dexamethasone interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)
Steady interest

#1,374 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Dexamethasone
Top 25%

#546 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)

What is Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)?

  • Energy and sports nutrition
  • Weight management
  • Ketogenic diets
  • Brain and cognitive support
  • Nutrition support in medical conditions

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fats from coconut or palm oil that the body absorbs and uses for energy quickly. They are widely used as an energy source, in ketogenic diets, and in some medical nutrition, but evidence for big benefits like weight loss is modest. They are generally well tolerated when taken in small, gradually increased amounts, but can cause stomach upset.

Fatty acids extracted from coconut or palm kernel oil · Oil, liquid, powder, capsules

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) record says about it on its own.

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts): dosing

There is no single standardized dose of MCTs that fits everyone, and the right amount depends on why you are using it and how well you tolerate it.A practical approach is to start low and go slow: begin with a small amount, such as a teaspoon, and gradually increase over days or weeks to reduce stomach upset. Taking MCTs with food can also help.Always follow the directions on your specific product label, since concentrations vary between oils, powders, and capsules. If you are using MCTs as part of a medical diet, follow your doctor's or dietitian's instructions.

From our Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Dexamethasone

What Is Dexamethasone Used For?

Brand names: Decadron, Hexadrol, Dexone, Ozurdex, Dexycu, Hemady, Dextenza

Dexamethasone is used to treat a wide range of conditions depending on the form and route. Oral tablets and solutions treat severe allergic reactions (such as asthma, contact dermatitis, and seasonal allergic rhinitis), inflammatory skin diseases, endocrine disorders including adrenal insufficiency and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis, blood disorders, rheumatic conditions, kidney disease, and respiratory conditions including tuberculosis complications. Hemady (oral tablet) is specifically approved, in combination with other medicines, for multiple myeloma in adults. TaperDex (6-day and 12-day oral tablet packs) are used for the same broad range of allergic, inflammatory, and endocrine conditions.

Injectable forms (intramuscular and intravenous) are used when oral treatment is not possible, covering endocrine emergencies, shock, rheumatic disorders, and more. Eye-specific products treat different conditions: Dextenza (intracanalicular insert) treats eye inflammation and pain after eye surgery and itching from allergic conjunctivitis. Ozurdex (intravitreal implant) treats macular edema from retinal vein occlusion and diabetic macular edema, and non-infectious uveitis in the back of the eye. Dexycu (intraocular injection) treats inflammation after eye surgery. Maxidex (ophthalmic suspension) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate eye drops treat steroid-responsive inflammatory conditions of the eye. The ophthalmic/otic solution also treats steroid-responsive inflammation of the outer ear canal. A topical ointment (Seacall) is used for skin conditions including contact dermatitis, eczema, and neurodermatitis.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Dexamethasone

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (308,307 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Fatigue 17,772 reports
Diarrhea 17,597 reports
Nausea 14,727 reports
Plasma cell myeloma 14,363 reports
Pneumonia 14,122 reports
See full Dexamethasone drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
2,829 No interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,829 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) list.

See the full Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) interactions page
See every supplement checked against Dexamethasone, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) References

The 6 references that drive our Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Ruppin DC, Middleton WR. Clinical use of medium chain triglycerides. Drugs 1980;20:216-24. DOI
  2. Clegg ME. Medium-chain triglycerides are advantageous in promoting weight loss although not beneficial to exercise performance. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Nov;61(7):653-79. PubMed
  3. Brighenti F. Dietary fructans and serum triacylglycerols: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Nutr. 2007 Nov;137(11 Suppl):2552S-2556S. doi: 10.1093/jn/137.11.2552S. PubMed
  4. St-Onge MP, Mayrsohn B, O'Keeffe M, Kissileff HR, Choudhury AR, Laferrère B. Impact of medium and long chain triglycerides consumption on appetite and food intake in overweight men. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 Oct;68(10):1134-40. PubMed
  5. Jain A, Mochi TB, Braganza SD, Agrawal S, Shetty BK, Pachiyappan B. Lipemia retinalis in an infant treated for retinopathy of prematurity. J AAPOS 2017;21(3):254-57. PubMed
  6. Borges K, Kaul N, Germaine J, Kwan P, O'Brien TJ. Randomized trial of add-on triheptanoin vs medium chain triglycerides in adults with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia Open. 2019;4(1):153-163. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) with Dexamethasone?
We do not list a known interaction between Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Dexamethasone have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 4 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Does Dexamethasone interact with any supplements?
Yes. Dexamethasone has documented interactions with 221 supplements in our database — Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) is not one of them. The Dexamethasone interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Dexamethasone drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Dexamethasone supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Dexamethasone, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 6 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Dexamethasone and Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.