Drug & supplement interaction

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) + Salmeterol

Salmeterol brand name: Serevent.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Salmeterol 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 label for Salmeterol states a food rule worth keeping to.

Know someone taking this? Share
Interaction report

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Salmeterol

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 Salmeterol 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 Salmeterol, 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 Salmeterol and Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

What Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Salmeterol. It is the side-effect record for Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts), this list is the first place to look.

  • Heartburn / Mood changes or irritability / Bloating or gas / Stomach upset / Diarrhea / Vomiting / Nausea Additional detail

    “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
  • Weight gain Additional detail

    Recorded for Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Heartburn / Mood changes or irritability / Bloating or gas / Stomach upset / Diarrhea / Vomiting / Nausea above.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We read the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of Salmeterol’s FDA label too, and the two lists don’t meaningfully overlap — which is why no Salmeterol column appears here.

How to take them

Some Salmeterol Products Have a Food Rule — Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Salmeterol says to take it on an empty stomach. Most supplements — Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) included — are taken with a meal, so the easy mistake is swallowing both together at breakfast. Where that rule applies, keep Salmeterol on its own and move Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) to a meal later in the day.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Salmeterol products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

One inhalation of SEREVENT DISKUS at least 30 minutes before exercise has been shown to protect patients against EIB.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Salmeterol — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. See the Salmeterol drug page ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Salmeterol

This page covers Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Salmeterol page lists 141 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Cesium (major), Ephedra (major) and Grapefruit (major).

By severity: 7 major · 105 moderate · 29 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Salmeterol page

“Salmeterol (Serevent) is the long-acting inhaler taken twice daily for asthma or COPD, and its supplement list is one I would approach with real caution. Seven of the 141 ingredients on file rate major: grapefruit can raise salmeterol levels by blocking the enzyme that clears it, St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Salmeterol interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Salmeterol 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

#1,420 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Salmeterol
Steady interest

#2,546 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 Salmeterol 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 Salmeterol Oral Inhalation

What Is Salmeterol Oral Inhalation Used For?

Brand name: Serevent

Serevent Diskus (salmeterol inhalation powder) is used for three main purposes: treating asthma in patients aged 4 and older alongside an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in patients aged 4 and older, and providing long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD — including chronic bronchitis and emphysema — in adults.

Important: Serevent Diskus is not a rescue inhaler. It will not relieve a sudden asthma or COPD attack. For asthma, it must always be used together with an inhaled corticosteroid — using it alone for asthma is contraindicated due to a serious risk of asthma-related death.

See full Salmeterol Oral Inhalation 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
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
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 Salmeterol Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) with Salmeterol?
We do not list a known interaction between Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Salmeterol. 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.
Should I take Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Salmeterol at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Salmeterol says to take it on an empty stomach, and supplements are usually taken with a meal — so taking them together at breakfast is the easy mistake. Where that applies, keep Salmeterol on its own and move Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) to a meal later in the day. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient, so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Does Salmeterol interact with any supplements?
Yes. Salmeterol has documented interactions with 141 supplements in our database — Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) is not one of them. The Salmeterol interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

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

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.