Dosing and uses of Axona, caprylic triglyceride (caprylidene)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
oral powder
- 40g/packet (each 40g packet contains 20g of medium chain triglycerides [MCTs])
Alzheimer Disease
Indicated for clinical dietary management of metabolic processes associated with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease
40 g (1 packet of powder, containing 20 g MCTs) PO qDay
Administration
Mix contents of each 40 g packet with 4-8 oz of water; shake until fully blended and drink immediately
Reconstituted product may be refrigerated for up to 24 hr, then reblended and thoroughly mixed before consumption
If GI adverse effects occur, may temporarily give simethicone, antacids, or antidiarrheal agents
For persistent GI symptoms, decrease dose to one-half packet qDay until adverse effects resolve, then resume taking full packet
Additional Supplement Ingredients
Also contains potassium caseinate (milk-derived protein), maltodextrin, whey protein (milk-derived), sugar, sunflower oil, dimagnesium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, soy lecithin, distilled monoglyceride, sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), silicon dioxide, natural vanilla bean extract, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, zinc sulfate, pyridoxine HCl (vitamin B6), folic acid, and chromium chloride
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
Not indicated
Axona, caprylic triglyceride (caprylidene) adverse (side) effects
>10%
Diarrhea
Flatulence
1-10%
Dizziness
Headache
Dyspepsia
Warnings
Contraindications
Allergy to milk or soy (contains caseinate, whey, and lecithin)
Cautions
Hypersensitivity to palm or coconut oiL
Patients at risk for ketoacidosis (eg, alcoholics, poorly controlled diabetics)
History of GI inflammatory conditions (eg, IBS, diverticulitis, chronic gastritis, GERD)
May increase triglycerides (periodically monitor serum triglyceride level)
Renal effects: may increase BUN, uric acid, or serum creatinine
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C; not studied in women <50 years old
Lactation: Unknown whether distributed in breast milk, caution advised
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Axona, caprylic triglyceride (caprylidene)
Mechanism of action
Prescription medical food metabolized into ketone bodies to product hyperketonemia, thus provides an alternate glucose substrate to brain
The brain can use these ketone bodies for energy when its ability to process glucose is impaired
Brain-imaging scans of older adults and those with Alzheimer disease reveal a dramatically decreased uptake of glucose
