Intralipid (Soya Oil, Purified)

Intralipid is used in parenteral nutrition to deliver calories and essential fatty acids via the intravenous route.

• Parenteral nutrition: Provides calories and essential fatty acids for patients who cannot receive enteral feeding.
• Essential fatty acid source: Supplies linoleic and alpha‑linolenic acids needed for cell membrane synthesis.
• Intravenous drug vehicle: Serves as a lipid carrier for certain intravenously administered medications.

• Intralipid delivers a sterile soybean‑oil based lipid emulsion that supplies triglycerides, which are hydrolyzed by lipases to free fatty acids and glycerol. These components are then metabolized for energy, incorporated into phospholipid membranes, and serve as precursors for essential fatty acids, supporting cellular function and caloric needs in patients receiving parenteral nutrition.

Adverse reactions may occur with any intravenous lipid emulsion.

Common Side Effects

• Hypertriglyceridemia: Elevated serum triglyceride levels during therapy.
• Fever or chills: Transient temperature rise during infusion.
• Infusion site reactions: Redness, swelling, or discomfort at the catheter site.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Fat overload syndrome: Severe metabolic disturbance from excessive lipid load.
• Allergic reactions: Including anaphylaxis, especially in patients with soy allergy.
• Hepatic dysfunction: Elevated liver enzymes or cholestasis with prolonged use.
• Pulmonary embolism: Rare embolic events related to lipid particles.

When using Intralipid, clinicians should observe several safety measures.

• Monitor triglycerides: Check serum levels regularly to avoid hypertriglyceridemia.
• Assess liver function: Periodic liver enzyme testing is recommended during prolonged therapy.
• Caution in lipid metabolism disorders: Use with care in patients with known disorders of fat metabolism.
• Avoid in soy allergy: Contraindicated in individuals with documented soy protein hypersensitivity.
• Adjust infusion rate: Tailor administration speed for critically ill or hemodynamically unstable patients.
• Store at 2-8°C: Keep refrigerated, protect from light, do not freeze or shake.

Intralipid may interact with other agents that affect lipid metabolism or share the same infusion line.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Propofol co‑administration: Increases risk of lipid overload and hypertriglyceridemia.
• Concurrent lipid emulsions: Cumulative fat load can precipitate fat overload syndrome.
• High‑dose heparin: May exacerbate triglyceride elevation.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Corticosteroids: Can raise serum triglyceride concentrations.
• Diuretics: May cause electrolyte shifts when combined with large lipid loads.
• Beta‑agonists: May alter lipid metabolism and require monitoring of metabolic parameters.