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Dietary supplement

Coconut Oil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Source Naturals

Softgel Capsule Category: Fat/fatty Acid
Most serious interaction: Minor
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Minor

Coconut Oil is a dietary supplement by Source Naturals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin and hair care, source of dietary fats (mcts), hydration with coconut water.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated minor. The ingredients most likely to interact are organic extra virgin Coconut Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Coconut Oil by Source Naturals

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: organic extra virgin coconut oil. The capsules also hold gelatin, glycerin, titanium dioxide, and purified water as inactive ingredients to form and fill the softgel.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Coconut product and its label doesn't state a use — see Coconut's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The data we hold shows insufficient evidence to rate coconut oil's effectiveness for diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, or lichen planus. That means the studies so far haven't been robust enough to make a confident call either way — not that it doesn't work, but that we can't say it does based on what's available.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Coconut

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Coconut oil eaten in normal food amounts is generally well tolerated. However, concentrated supplement doses aren't well studied, so your doctor should sign off before you take a high-dose supplement.

Allergic reactions to coconut — ranging from hives to a severe reaction called anaphylaxis — are the main concern, especially if you have a known sensitivity. Since coconut is grouped with tree nuts for allergen purposes in the US, those with tree nut allergies should be cautious.

Coconut is considered likely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Coconut

Meds to double-check

Minor interactions only
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Minor only

Only Minor-severity interactions are documented for these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Coconut.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Minor.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take antidiabetes drugs, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product — coconut oil may lower blood sugar and increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with your medication.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Only minor medication interactions are documented, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're interested in coconut oil as a supplement — perhaps for general wellness — it's generally well tolerated at normal food doses. If you take diabetes medication, though, check with your doctor or pharmacist first, since the oil may affect your blood sugar.

Talk it over with your own healthcare provider to see if it fits your situation.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 26, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Coconut Oil, straight from the product label.

Brand Source Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 021078019022
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 26, 2020
DSLD ID 214341
Product type Fat/fatty Acid
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Coconut Oil by Source Naturals, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
4 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
4 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
15
UPC/BARCODE
021078019022
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories35 Calorie(s)--
Calories from Fat35 Calorie(s)--
Trans Fat0 Gram(s)--
Total Fat4 Gram(s)6%
Saturated Fat3.5 Gram(s)18%
organic extra virgin Coconut Oil4 Gram(s)--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, purified Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Extra virgin

Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, salt, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

Formula

Medium chain fatty acids

Long a dietary staple of the people of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, coconut oil has been used for both food and health care. It has been used in Ayurvedic herbalism for 4,000 years and it is a natural oil, lower in calories than most oils. Coconut oil is composed of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are less likely to be stored in the body as fat than are long-chain triglycerides (LCTs). Combined with essential fatty acids, it is a perfect addition to an overall healthy lipid program.

Precautions

Contains tree nuts (coconut).

Note: If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, consult your health care professional before using this product.

Do not use if either tamper-evident seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 4 softgels 1 to 2 times daily with meals.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

The softgels are convenient and easy to swallow.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Coconut Oil by Source Naturals label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Coconut Oil by Source Naturals

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size4 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container15 Amounts shown are per serving.

Organic extra virgin Coconut Oil

Interacts with
86 drugs
4 Gram(s) per serving

Coconut is a nutritious tropical food enjoyed as oil, water, milk, and flesh, and it is generally safe to eat in normal food amounts. While some uses...

Organic extra virgin Coconut Oil monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Purified Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Coconut Oil by Source Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Coconut Oil?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
86Drugs
86 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Coconut Oil with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

organic extra virgin Coconut Oil1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking coconut with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that coconut milk might increase insulin levels and/or decrease blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Coconut Oil, from the product label.

Source Naturals

Name
Source Naturals, Inc.
Street Address
P. O. Box 2118
City
Santa Cruz
State
CA
ZipCode
95062
Web Address
www.sourcenaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Coconut Oil by Source Naturals: Common Questions

Does Coconut Oil by Source Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Coconut Oil has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Coconut Oil contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Coconut Oil if I have a tree nut allergy?
Coconut allergies are a real concern, especially for those with tree nut sensitivity — reactions can range from hives to severe anaphylaxis. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific allergy history before taking this supplement.
Is Coconut Oil safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Coconut oil is considered likely safe during both pregnancy and breastfeeding based on the data we hold. That said, if you have any concerns about taking a supplement while pregnant or nursing, check with your own doctor.
Will Coconut Oil help me lose weight?
The evidence we hold on coconut oil for weight loss is insufficient — the studies haven't been strong enough to say whether it works. It's not proven, and it's not ruled out.
What are the side effects of this supplement?
Coconut oil is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth. Allergic reactions — from hives to anaphylaxis — are the main concern, particularly in people with coconut or tree nut sensitivity.
Does high-dose Coconut Oil supplement have safety data?
High-dose coconut supplements aren't well studied, so concentrated doses should be approved by your doctor first. Normal food amounts are fine, but supplement-level dosing needs professional guidance.

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

Not sure if Coconut Oil is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Coconut Oil label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Coconut Oil's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 10 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Coconut 10 references
  1. Teuber SS, Peterson WR. Systemic allergic reaction to coconut (Cocos nucifera) in 2 subjects with hypersensitivity to tree nut and demonstration of cross-reactivity to legumin-like seed storage proteins: new coconut and walnut food allergens. J Allergy Cl PubMed
  2. Rosado A, Fernandez-Rivas M, Gonzalez-Mancebo E, et al. Anaphylaxis to coconut. Allergy 2002;57(2):182-3. PubMed
  3. Karmakar PR, Das A, Chatterjee BP. Placebo-controlled immunotherapy with Cocos nucifera pollen extract. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1994;103(2):194-201. PubMed
  4. Anagnostou K. Coconut Allergy Revisited. Children (Basel). 2017;4(10). pii: E85. PubMed
  5. Cifuentes L, Mistrello G, Amato S, et al. Identification of cross-reactivity between buckwheat and coconut. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015;115(6):530-2. PubMed
  6. Michavila Gomez A, Amat Bou M, Gonzalez Cortés MV, Segura Navas L, Moreno Palanques MA, Bartolomé B. Coconut anaphylaxis: Case report and review. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2015;43(2):219-20. PubMed
  7. 21CFR170.3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Department of Health and Human Services. Updated April 1, 2017. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=170.3
  8. Alatawi KA, Alshubaily FA. Coconut products alleviate hyperglycaemic, hyperlipidimic and nephropathy indices in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar rats. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021;28(8):4224-4231. PubMed
  9. Kruse L, Lor J, Yousif R, Pongracic JA, Fishbein AB. Coconut allergy: Characteristics of reactions and diagnostic predictors in a pediatric tertiary care center. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021;126(5):562-568.
  10. Pathmanandavel K, Kaur N, Joshi P, Ford LS. Anaphylaxis and allergy to coconut: An Australian pediatric case series. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020;8(10):3657-3659. PubMed

See these in context on the Coconut monograph →

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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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