Herb & supplement monograph

Palm Oil Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Palm Oil interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Palm Oil is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Palm Oil is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Palm Oil Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Palm Oil drug interaction appears low for most people, with the main caution reserved for those taking blood thinners. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and every one traces back to a single theoretical concern with blood-thinning medications rather than proven effects in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The one area worth real attention is anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, the medicines used to prevent blood clots. Palm oil contains a component called palm olein that appears to make platelets stick together more easily, which in theory could weaken the effect of a blood thinner. Because clot prevention leaves little room for error, this deserves awareness even though the evidence so far comes from laboratory research rather than well-controlled human studies. No other medication group stands out in the current data.

What the rest of the list means

Although the number of interacting medications looks large, it reflects that single theoretical concern applied across the many drugs in the blood-thinner group, not dozens of separate problems. The effect is based on how palm oil might act on platelets, and it has not been shown to cause clinically meaningful changes in people.

Check your medications against Palm Oil

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Palm Oil interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Palm Oil

122 medications have a known interaction with Palm Oil, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Palm Oil using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Palm Oil interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Palm Oil combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Palm Oil affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Palm Oil is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Palm Oil interacts with

Anticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, palm oil might decrease the effectiveness of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
The palm olein constituent in palm oil seems to increase platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Monograph

Palm Oil: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Palm oil is a widely used edible oil pressed from the fruit of the oil palm tree, and red palm oil is a notable source of vitamin A and vitamin E compounds called tocotrienols. As a food it is generally considered safe, but it is high in saturated fat, so it should be used in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated palm-oil supplements, especially if you have heart or cholesterol concerns.

Scientific name: Elaeis guineensis
Family: Arecaceae
Part used: Fruit and seed (kernel)
Common forms: Cooking oil, capsules, red palm oil, tocotrienol/tocopherol supplements

People commonly use it for

Cooking and food preparation
Source of vitamin A (red palm oil)
Vitamin E (tocotrienols)
Skin and hair care
General nutrition

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally safe as a food, but high in saturated fat, so use in moderation.

PregnancyPossibly Safe

When used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts. Diets rich in palm oil or supplemented with palm oil have been used safely during the third t...

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of palm oil when used in medicinal amounts during lactation; avoid amounts in ex...

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). The tree is native to West Africa but is now grown widely across tropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia. Palm oil is one of the most commonly used cooking oils in the world.

There are two main types. Palm oil comes from the fleshy part of the fruit, while palm kernel oil comes from the seed inside. Red palm oil is a less processed form that keeps its natural orange-red color, which comes from carotenoids (a source of vitamin A).

Beyond cooking, palm oil shows up in many processed foods, soaps, cosmetics, and even some supplements. It is also sold as a source of vitamin E compounds called tocotrienols and as a vitamin A source in the form of red palm oil.

How it works

Palm oil is made up mostly of fats. It contains a fairly even mix of saturated fat (mainly palmitic acid) and unsaturated fat. The high saturated fat content is why health experts suggest using it in moderation.

Red palm oil also contains carotenoids (such as beta-carotene), which the body can convert into vitamin A, and vitamin E compounds including tocopherols and tocotrienols. These act as antioxidants, meaning they may help protect cells from a type of damage called oxidative stress.

Much of what we know about tocotrienols and carotenoids comes from laboratory and animal research. These findings are promising but do not always translate into proven benefits in people.

Effectiveness

Does Palm Oil work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 3 uses evaluated

1 Likely effective 2 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

Likely Effective Vitamin A deficiency

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Oral palm oil is likely effective for preventing or treating vitamin A deficiency.

Also studied for 2 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there has been interest in using oral palm oil for CVD, including atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of palm oil for these conditions.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Malaria

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if oral palm oil is beneficial in children with malaria.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

As a food, palm oil is generally recognized as safe and has been eaten for a very long time. The main concern is its high saturated fat content. Diets high in saturated fat can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol in some people, so those with heart disease, high cholesterol, or related risks should limit how much they use.

Pregnancy: Using palm oil as a normal cooking oil is generally considered acceptable. However, concentrated palm-oil supplements and high-dose vitamin A products have not been well studied in pregnancy, and too much vitamin A can be harmful to a developing baby. Use caution and check with your doctor before taking supplements.

Breastfeeding: Palm oil as part of a normal diet is generally fine. The safety of concentrated supplements while breastfeeding is not well established, so caution is advised.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting any concentrated palm-oil or tocotrienol supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take other medicines.

Side effects

Eaten in normal food amounts, palm oil rarely causes problems for most people. Because it is a fat, very large amounts may cause stomach upset, nausea, or loose stools in some people.

The bigger long-term concern is its saturated fat, which may contribute to higher cholesterol and heart disease risk if eaten in large amounts over time.

Allergic reactions to palm oil are uncommon. Stop use and seek medical care if you notice rash, itching, swelling, or trouble breathing after using a palm-oil product.

Palm Oil: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Palm Oil from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Reports by condition

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) Cardiovascular

In population research, increased dietary intake of palm oil has been associated with a higher risk for mortality from ischemic heart disease, but not stroke.

The effect of oral palm oil on blood lipid levels differs depending on the diet to which it is compared and the patient population being studied. Some research suggests that diets rich in palm oil can increase levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol when compared with diets rich in monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids. When substituted for other saturated fats in the diet, palm oil reduces total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol levels better than myristic and lauric acids, but increases these when compared with stearic acid. However, meta-analyses of studies in healthy individuals show that palm oil has no significant effects on total or LDL cholesterol or triglycerides when compared with unsaturated fatty acids, although it may increase HDL cholesterol in these individuals. If substituted for trans fatty acids, palm oil increases HDL cholesterol levels, with no impact on total or LDL cholesterol levels. When substituted for hydrogenated vegetable oils, the effect of palm oil on cholesterol levels is neutral. The effect of palm oil on cholesterol levels, regardless of the comparator fat source, appears to be more pronounced with older age, higher total intake of fat in the diet, and higher baseline cholesterol levels.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no official standardized dose of palm oil as a supplement. As a cooking oil, it is simply used in normal food amounts, ideally in moderation because of its saturated fat.

For supplements such as red palm oil or tocotrienol products, the right amount varies by product and the reason for use. The best advice is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed the recommended amount.

Because supplements are not tightly regulated and quality can vary, check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting one—especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have heart or cholesterol concerns.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Palm Oil & Pregnancy

Possibly Safe

When used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts. Diets rich in palm oil or supplemented with palm oil have been used safely during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Palm Oil & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of palm oil when used in medicinal amounts during lactation; avoid amounts in excess of those found in foods.

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 12 references that drive our Palm Oil 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.

Radhika MS, Bhaskaram P, Balakrishna N, Ramalakshmi BA. Red palm oil supplementation: a feasible diet-based approach to improve vitamin A status of pregnant women and their infants. Food Nutr Bull 2003;24:208-17.
Zagre NM, Delpeuch F, Traissac P, Delisle H. Red palm oil as a source of vitamin A for mothers and children: impact of a pilot project in Burkina Faso. Public Health Nutr 2003;6:733-42. PubMed
Lietz G, Henry CJ, Mulokozi G, et al. Comparison of the effects of supplemental red palm oil and sunflower oil on maternal vitamin A status. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;74:501-9. PubMed
Sanchez-Muniz FJ, Oubina P, Rodenas S, et al. Platelet aggregation, thromboxane production and thrombogenic ratio in postmenopausal women consuming high oleic acid-sunflower oil or palmolein. Eur J Nutr 2003:42:299-306. PubMed
Vega-Lopez, S., Ausman, L. M., Jalbert, S. M., Erkkila, A. T., and Lichtenstein, A. H. Palm and partially hydrogenated soybean oils adversely alter lipoprotein profiles compared with soybean and canola oils in moderately hyperlipidemic subjects. Am J Cli
Cater, N. B., Heller, H. J., and Denke, M. A. Comparison of the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerols, palm oil, and high oleic acid sunflower oil on plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans. Am.J Clin.Nutr PubMed
Fattore E, Bosetti C, Brighenti F, et al. Palm oil and blood lipid-related markers of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary intervention trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2014;99:1331-50. PubMed
Sun Y, Neelakantan N, Wu Y, et al. Palm oil consumption increases LDL cholesterol compared with vegetable oils low in saturated fat in a meta-analysis of clinical trials. J Nutr 2015;145:1549-58. PubMed
Chen BK, Seligman B, Farquhar JW, Goldhaber-Fiebert JD. Multi-Country analysis of palm oil consumption and cardiovascular disease mortality for countries at different stages of economic development: 1980-1997. Global Health 2011;7:45. PubMed
Voon PT, Lee ST, Ng TKW, et al. Intake of palm olein and lipid status in healthy adults: a meta-analysis. Adv Nutr 2019;10(4):647-59. PubMed
Wang F, Zhao D, Yang Y, Zhang L. Effect of palm oil consumption on plasma lipid concentrations related to cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2019;28(3):495-506.
Hisham MDB, Aziz Z, Huin WK, Teoh CH, Jamil AHA. The effects of palm oil on serum lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2020;29(3):523-536.

Keep reading

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.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Palm Oil

273 brands in our database make a supplement containing Palm Oil.

'Merica Labz 62 products 21st Century Wellify! 13 products 360 Nutrition 3 products 6AM RUN 9 products Absolute Nutrition 15 products Adaptogen Research 126 products Advocare 165 products Alani Nu 74 products Allergy Research Group 1,595 products ALLMAX 210 products Amazon Elements 36 products Amvilab 48 products AOR Advanced Orthomolecular Research Advanced 60 products AOR Advanced Orthomolecular Research Premium 45 products AOR Advanced Orthomolecular Research Ultra 8 products Arbonne 129 products Arbonne Essentials 41 products Arms Race Nutrition 145 products aSquared Nutrition 96 products AST Sports Science 89 products Axe & Sledge Supplements 109 products Bariatric Advantage 81 products Barlean's Organic Oils 66 products Basiem 5 products

Product directory

Supplement products with Palm Oil

1,288 products in our database contain Palm Oil. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Palm Oil: Common Questions

What is Palm Oil used for, and does it work?

People use Palm Oil for many reasons, but the evidence varies by use. According to the Natural Medicines database, there is at least some clinical evidence supporting Palm Oil for Vitamin A deficiency. For most other uses it has been studied for, the evidence is currently insufficient to rate. See the graded list on this page, and always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

Does Palm Oil interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 122 medications with a known interaction with Palm Oil. Use the checker above to see how Palm Oil interacts with a specific drug.

How are Palm Oil interactions rated?

Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.

Is it safe to take Palm Oil with my medications?

It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.

Where does this Palm Oil interaction information come from?

Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.

What is Palm Oil used for?

It is mainly used as a cooking oil and in processed foods, soaps, and cosmetics. As a supplement, red Palm Oil is used as a source of vitamin A, and Palm Oil tocotrienols are taken as a form of vitamin E.

Is Palm Oil bad for your heart?

Palm Oil is high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol in some people. It is best used in moderation as part of a balanced diet, especially if you have heart disease or high cholesterol.

Is red Palm Oil different from regular Palm Oil?

Yes. Red Palm Oil is less processed and keeps its natural orange-red color, which comes from carotenoids that the body can turn into vitamin A. It also contains more vitamin E compounds than highly processed Palm Oil.

Is Palm Oil safe during pregnancy?

Using it as an everyday cooking oil is generally fine, but concentrated supplements and high-dose vitamin A products are not well studied in pregnancy and could be harmful in excess. Check with your doctor before using palm-oil supplements while pregnant.

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

Keep exploring

Products that contain Palm Oil

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Palm Oil — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

See all 1,288 products with Palm Oil →

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Palm Oil Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Your Choice:

Palm Oil Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

Drugs that interact with Palm Oil

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Where This Data Comes From

The kinds of drugs Palm Oil affects

Palm Oil: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Overview

How it works

Does Palm Oil work?

Safety & precautions

Side effects

Palm Oil: Reported Adverse Effects

Dosing

Palm Oil & Pregnancy

Palm Oil & Breastfeeding

References & further reading

Brands that make products with Palm Oil

Supplement products with Palm Oil

Palm Oil: Common Questions

Related supplements & herbs

Products that contain Palm Oil

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