Please check your internet connection and try again.
# Liquid Paraffin (Mineral Oil)
## Overview
Liquid paraffin is a non-absorbable, clear, odorless mixture of refined liquid hydrocarbons. It acts as a lubricant laxative by coating the stool and maintaining water content, facilitating passage through the colon.
## Primary Indications
* Short-term management of occasional constipation.
* Fecal impaction (clearing of intestinal contents).
## Adult Dosing
* **Oral:** 15–45 mL once daily, usually at bedtime.
* **Maximum:** 45 mL/day; limit duration to 7 days due to risk of dependency or absorption issues.
## Pediatric Dosing
* **Safety Note:** Generally discouraged in children <6 years old due to aspiration risk.
* **Children 6–12 years:** 5–15 mL once daily.
* **Dosing note:** Administer while upright; never administer immediately before bed to prevent nocturnal aspiration.
## Dose Adjustments
* **Elderly/Debilitated/Dysphagia:** Use extreme caution due to the high risk of lipoid pneumonia from aspiration. Often contraindicated in these populations.
* **Renal/Hepatic:** No specific adjustments, but avoid use in patients with bowel obstruction.
## Contraindications
* Hypersensitivity to the product.
* Symptoms of appendicitis, bowel obstruction, fecal impaction, or abdominal pain (undiagnosed).
* Patients with documented dysphagia or high risk of aspiration.
* Use in children under 6 years or recumbent patients.
## Adverse Effects
* **Gastrointestinal:** Anal leakage (seepage), pruritus ani, abdominal cramping (rare).
* **Respiratory:** **Lipoid pneumonia** (severe if aspirated).
* **Nutritional:** Decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) with long-term use.
## Key Drug Interactions
* **Fat-Soluble Vitamins:** Long-term use reduces absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K.
* **Oral Contraceptives:** May decrease absorption efficacy.
* **Docusate:** Concurrent use is discouraged, as mineral oil may increase systemic absorption of docusate, potentially causing toxic effects in the liver or lymph nodes.
## Monitoring
* Frequency and consistency of bowel movements.
* Symptoms indicative of aspiration (cough, dyspnea).
* Skin irritation in the perianal area (leaking).
## Clinical Pearls
* **Aspiration Risk:** Mineral oil is highly dangerous if aspirated into the lungs. It produces a chronic, inflammatory, and difficult-to-treat lipid pneumonia.
* **Administration:** Administer on an empty stomach to avoid delaying gastric emptying.
* **Alternatives:** Modern clinical practice significantly favors osmotic (PEG 3350) or stimulant laxatives over mineral oil due to the superior safety profile of the former.
* **Anal Leakage:** Advise patients that seepage (soiling of undergarments) is a frequent adverse effect.
***
**Disclaimer:** This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional or current institutional prescribing guidelines before administering medication, as clinical protocols may vary significantly.
