Caprylic acid is an eight-carbon fatty acid naturally found in palm and coconut oil, and in the milk of humans and bovines (cows). Caprylic acid is classified as a medium-chain fatty acid and chemically known as octanoic acid. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved caprylic acid with generally recognizable as safe (GRAS) status. It is used as parenteral nutrition in patients who require nutrition supplementation, as well as in some drugs, foods, and cosmetics.
Nutritionists often recommend caprylic acid for use in treating candidiasis (yeast infection) and bacterial infections. However, there is insufficient clinical data available to support the used of caprylic acid for any claimed therapeutic uses.
Evidence
DISCLAIMER:
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Epilepsy (children):
Some forms of epilepsy respond to diets that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates. Currently, the effects of caprylic acid alone to treat epilepsy in children are not well studied. Additional study is needed in this area.
Grade: C
Tradition
WARNING:
DISCLAIMER:
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below. Antibacterial, antifungal, chylothorax, dialysis (hypoalbuminemia in maintenance hemodialysis), digestive disorders (dysbiosis), malabsorption (lipid), nutrition supplementation.
Dosing
Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for caprylic acid. In general, 300-1,200 milligrams daily, preferably 30 minutes before meals, has been ingested.
Children (younger than 18 years)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for caprylic acid, and use in children is not recommended.
Safety
DISCLAIMER:
Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.
Allergies
Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to caprylic acid and its derivatives, such as caprylate salts.
Side Effects and Warnings
The most common side effects associated with high fatty acid intake are nausea, bloating, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These side effects can range from mild to severe. Patients taking large amounts of triglycerides may also experience belching, heartburn, and indigestion. Otherwise, caprylic acid appears well tolerated at doses appropriate for nutritional supplementation. It is also possibly safe when used under the guidance of a physician for intractable seizures.
Although not well studied in humans, caprylic acid may increase susceptibility to carbaryl exposure and decrease the body's ability to clear carbaryl, a highly toxic insecticide.
Hypocalcemia (low calcium blood level), drowsiness, lethargy, kidney stones, hypouricemia (low uric acid), acidosis, growth retardation and increased rate of infection has been reported in human studies using a ketogenic diet to treat epilepsy. The effects of caprylic acid alone are not well understood in this diet. Avoid in patients with kidney stones or a tendency of developing kidney stones. Use cautiously in infants, children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and those prone to get an upset stomach.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Caprylic acid is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.
Interactions
Interactions with Drugs
Caprylic acid may alter the effects of drugs that are highly bound to albumin. Patients taking any medications should check the package insert, and consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.
Theoretically, caprylic acid may increase susceptibility to carbaryl exposure and decrease the body's ability to clear carbaryl, a highly toxic insecticide. Caution is advised.
Indomethacin can inhibit the cardiovascular effects of octanoic acid. Patients taking cardiovascular medications should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about interactions.
Although not well studied in humans, caprylic acid may also interact with inotropic agents, nimodipine, phenylbutazone, warfarin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Octanoic acid may alter the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Caution is advised in patients taking herbs and supplements that have similar effects as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
Attribution
This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature, and was peer-reviewed and edited by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): Ashley Brigham, PharmD (Northeastern University); J. Katherine Bryan, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Thuy-Duong Le, PharmD (Oregon State University); Elizabeth A. Poole, PharmD; Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Heeja Yoon, PharmD (Drake University).
Bibliography
DISCLAIMER:
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.
Giannakou SA, Dallas PP, Rekkas DM, et al. In vitro evaluation of nimodipine permeation through human epidermis using response surface methodology. Int J Pharm 7-8-2002;241(1):27-34.
Han J, Hamilton JA, Kirkland JL, et al. Medium-chain oil reduces fat mass and down-regulates expression of adipogenic genes in rats. Obes Res 2003;11(6):734-744.
Hoshimoto A, Suzuki Y, Katsuno T, et al. Caprylic acid and medium-chain triglycerides inhibit IL-8 gene transcription in Caco-2 cells: comparison with the potent histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A. Br J Pharmacol 2002;136(2):280-286.
Kalantar-Zadeh K, Braglia A, Chow J, et al. An anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutritional supplement for hypoalbuminemic hemodialysis patients: a pilot/feasibility study. J Ren Nutr 2005;15(3):318-331.
Lima TM, Kanunfre CC, Pompeia C, et al. Ranking the toxicity of fatty acids on Jurkat and Raji cells by flow cytometric analysis. Toxicol In Vitro 2002;16(6):741-747.
McLay JC, Kennedy MJ, Orourke AL, et al. Inhibition of bacterial foodborne pathogens by the lactoperoxidase system in combination with monolaurin. Int J Food Microbiol. 2-25-2002;73(1):1-9.
Nagata J, Kasai M, Negishi S, et al. Effects of structured lipids containing eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid and caprylic acid on serum and liver lipid profiles in rats. Biofactors 2004;22(1-4):157-160.
Nair MK, Joy J, Venkitanarayanan KS. Inactivation of Enterobacter sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula by monocaprylin. J Food Prot. 2004;67(12):2815-2819.
Olsen H, Andersen A, Nordbo A, et al. Pharmaceutical-grade albumin: impaired drug-binding capacity in vitro. BMC.Clin Pharmacol 3-29-2004;4:4.
Robertson MD, Jackson KG, Fielding BA, et al. Acute ingestion of a meal rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids results in rapid gastric emptying in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76(1):232-238.
Robinson MK. Population differences in acute skin irritation responses. Race, sex, age, sensitive skin and repeat subject comparisons. Contact Dermatitis 2002;46(2):86-93.
Samsom M, Vermeijden JR, Smout AJ, et al. Prevalence of delayed gastric emptying in diabetic patients and relationship to dyspeptic symptoms: a prospective study in unselected diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 2003;26(11):3116-3122.
Schneider AR, Kraut C, Lindenthal B, et al. Total body metabolism of 13C-octanoic acid is preserved in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, but differs between women and men. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2005;17(11):1181-1184.
Sogorb MA, Carrera V, Vilanova E. Hydrolysis of carbaryl by human serum albumin. Arch Toxicol. 2004;78(11):629-634.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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