Drug & supplement interaction

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) + Tolbutamide

Tolbutamide brand name: Orinase.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Tolbutamide 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.

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Interaction report

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Tolbutamide

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 Tolbutamide 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 Tolbutamide, 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 Tolbutamide 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 Tolbutamide. 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 haven’t matched Tolbutamide to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Tolbutamide.

Overlapping uses

What Tolbutamide Is Prescribed For, and What Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Tolbutamide is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) has been studied for:

  • Diabetes studied, not established Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) for diabetes

    Although there has been interest in using oral MCTs for diabetes, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of MCTs for this purpose.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Tolbutamide on your own; if you are taking Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Tolbutamide

This page covers Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Tolbutamide page lists 305 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), Adrafinil (moderate) and African Wild Potato (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 255 moderate · 48 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Tolbutamide page

“People take tolbutamide (Orinase) to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and diabetes is exactly the condition supplement shelves target, which is why this list runs to 305 ingredients and deserves real caution. Of those, 239 also push glucose around, most often downward, so combining them can drive sugar lower than intended.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Tolbutamide interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Tolbutamide 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

#1,411 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Tolbutamide
Steady interest

#1,971 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 Tolbutamide 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 Tolbutamide

What Is Tolbutamide Used For?

Brand name: Orinase

  • Tolbutamide is used along with diet and exercise, and sometimes with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Tolbutamide is in a class of medications called sulfonylureas. Tolbutamide lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce insulin (a natural substance that is needed to break down sugar in the body) and helping the body use insulin efficiently. This medication will only help lower blood sugar in people whose bodies produce insulin naturally. Tolbutamide is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that may occur if high blood sugar is not treated).

  • Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems. Taking medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; decreased sexual ability in men and women), eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.

See full Tolbutamide 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 Tolbutamide Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) with Tolbutamide?
We do not list a known interaction between Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Tolbutamide. 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.
Are Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) and Tolbutamide used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Tolbutamide is being adjusted to a target.
Does Tolbutamide interact with any supplements?
Yes. Tolbutamide has documented interactions with 305 supplements in our database — Medium Chain Triglycerides (mcts) is not one of them. The Tolbutamide interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

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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.