Based on NIH | Does taking coconut oil at night interfere with omeprazole or reduce its effectiveness?

Short answer

There is no evidence that coconut oil directly interacts with omeprazole or reduces its effectiveness. However, high‑fat meals can significantly lower the absorption of omeprazole when the drug is taken together with the meal, so timing matters: take omeprazole before eating and avoid taking it alongside a high‑fat intake. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

---

What we know about omeprazole and food

• Take before food: Official dosing instructions for omeprazole state it should be taken before eating, and capsules should be swallowed whole. This timing helps the medicine reach the acid‑producing pumps when they are most active and improves absorption. ^[1]
• High‑fat meals reduce absorption: When omeprazole (in a fixed‑dose product with aspirin) was taken with a high‑fat, high‑calorie meal, the extent of omeprazole absorption fell dramatically about 67% lower total exposure (AUC) and about 84% lower peak level (Cmax) compared with fasting. Taking it 60 minutes before the same high‑fat meal lessened (but did not entirely remove) this reduction. ^{[2] [3] [4]}
• Food can delay and possibly lower bioavailability: Early pharmacokinetic work showed that taking enteric‑coated omeprazole with food delays absorption and may lower overall bioavailability compared with fasting. ^[5]

---

Coconut oil specifically

• No direct interaction identified: Authoritative drug interaction lists for omeprazole include many prescription medicines and certain herbs, but they do not list coconut oil or medium‑chain triglycerides (MCTs) as interacting agents. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}
• Consider fat content, not the oil itself: Coconut oil is high in fat (rich in MCTs). The concern is not a chemical interaction with omeprazole, but that taking omeprazole together with a high‑fat intake can reduce how much of the drug is absorbed. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

---

Practical guidance

• Separate omeprazole from fatty intake: To keep omeprazole effective, take it on an empty stomach typically 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Avoid taking it at the same time as coconut oil or any high‑fat meal or supplement. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• If you use coconut oil at night: If your omeprazole dose is in the morning, using coconut oil at night would not be expected to interfere. If you take omeprazole at night, try to take it 30–60 minutes before a light, low‑fat snack or before bed, and avoid pairing it with coconut oil at the same time. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• Formulation matters: Swallow the delayed‑release capsule whole as directed; alternative administration (e.g., sprinkling on applesauce) is acceptable for those who cannot swallow capsules, but still follow the “before eating” timing. ^[1]

---

Omeprazole drug‑interaction context (for completeness)

• Known interactions: Omeprazole can alter levels of certain medicines through effects on stomach acidity and on the enzyme CYP2C19; examples include some antivirals, antifungals, antiplatelets, and others. These are medication‑specific interactions and do not involve dietary oils. ^{[10] [6] [7] [8]}
• Mechanisms: Reduced absorption of drugs that need an acidic stomach, and increased exposure of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19 due to inhibition by omeprazole, have been documented. ^{[10] [11] [9]}

---

Bottom line

• Coconut oil itself does not have a known direct interaction with omeprazole. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}
• Taking omeprazole together with a high‑fat intake (including coconut oil) can reduce its absorption, so timing is the key factor. Take omeprazole 30–60 minutes before food and avoid pairing it with high‑fat meals or supplements. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

---

Quick reference table

Topic	Key point	Why it matters
Timing of dose	Take omeprazole 30–60 minutes before food	Improves absorption and effectiveness [1]
High‑fat intake	High‑fat meals can lower omeprazole levels	AUC ↓ ~67%, Cmax ↓ ~84% if taken with high‑fat meal [2] [3] [4]
Coconut oil	No listed direct interaction	Only the fat‑related timing effect is relevant [6] [7] [8] [9]
With food	Food can delay and possibly reduce bioavailability	Prefer fasting administration [5]

---

If you’d like, I can help tailor the dosing schedule to your routine so you won’t have to change your nighttime coconut oil habit.