Clinical use of 10% soybean oil emulsion

The pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects of the use of 10% soybean oil emulsion in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) are reviewed. The composition of the commercial preparation (intralipid), comparison with cottonseed oil emulsion, advantages and disadvantages of use, metabolism, toxicity, therapeutic monitoring, clinical uses, and evaluative studies are discussed. Soybean oil emulsion is a useful source of calories and essential fatty acids in TPN. The product is more expensive than other solutions used in TPN. Woybean oil emulsion should be considered for use in small hospitals and in home therapy because of the advantage of peripheral administration.