American Cancer Society ®
back  back | close  close
 
mineral oil mineral oil

 
  Trade/other name(s)
Fleet Mineral Oil 		 
  Why would this drug be used?
Mineral oil is used to treat constipation. You can buy it over the counter, without a prescription. 		 
  How does this drug work?
Mineral oil coats the intestinal surface so that water can't be absorbed into the tissue. The extra water swells and softens the stool, and the lubrication also eases its passage. This stimulates the normal forward movement of the intestines (peristalsis), which usually results in a bowel movement within 6 to 8 hours. 		 
  Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor: 		 
 
  • If you are allergic to anything, including medicines, dyes, additives, or foods.
  • If you have any trouble swallowing, or if you are unable to sit or stand upright. Small amounts of mineral oil can accidentally be inhaled and cause pneumonia.
  • If you have nausea, vomiting, rectal bleeding, unexplained abdominal pain, impaction, intestinal blockage, or any disease of the stomach or intestine. Something besides constipation may be causing your problem, and mineral oil may worsen it.
  • About any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking, including vitamins and herbs.
 
  Interactions with other drugs
Do not take mineral oil within 2 hours of taking other medicines or vitamins. It may interfere with their absorption into the body.

Do not take stool softeners such as docusate calcium, docusate potassium, or docusate sodium within 2 hours of mineral oil. These drugs can cause the mineral oil to be absorbed into the body.

Some sources report that the action of warfarin (blood thinners) and oral contraceptives (birth control pills) may be affected by mineral oil.

Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about other medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements, and whether alcohol can cause problems with this medicine.

 
  Interactions with foods
Mineral oil should not be taken by mouth within 2 hours of meals because it may interfere with absorbing vitamins and other nutrients from food.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

 
 
Tell all the doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

  
  How is this drug taken or given?
Mineral oil is taken two ways. You can take it as a liquid by mouth on an empty stomach at bedtime or as a rectal enema. The dose is standard for all adults. Take this drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor, or follow the directions on the label. If you have any questions or are confused by the instructions, talk to your doctor or nurse. Store the medicine in a tightly closed container out of the reach of children and pets. 		 
  Precautions
Taking mineral oil may cause diarrhea in some people. If you have diarrhea, you should try to replace the fluid, nutrients, and minerals that you're losing. Drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid a day, and try fluids with electrolytes, such as chicken broth or sports drinks, which are helpful in replacing potassium and salt lost in diarrhea.

You could become dependent on laxatives. Keep in mind that if you use laxatives all the time, your body may forget the normal process of moving the bowels.

If you are taking opioid pain relievers, you will need to take a laxative regularly. However, mineral oil is not usually recommended for this use because of its unwanted effects over time.

You shouldn't take mineral oil longer than 1 week. It blocks absorption of certain nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, and K. It can also build up in the tissues and cause problems.

To prevent constipation, consider making diet and lifestyle changes. Drinking 2 to 3 quarts of fluid a day, increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet (5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily), eating bran cereal, and doing gentle exercise as tolerated should help.

 
 
Possible side effects
  
  Common
  • loss of normal bowel responses when laxatives are used for a long time*
  • nausea
  • cramps
 
  Less common
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • leakage of oil from rectum (more common with larger doses)
  • reduced absorption of nutrients from food*

*See "Precautions" section for more detailed information.

 
 
There are other side effects not listed above that can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop these or any other problems.
  
 
 
  FDA approval
Yes - first approved before 1984 (FDA cannot verify dates of drugs approved before 1984.) 		 
 
 
  Disclaimer: This information does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for talking with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical needs.  


back  back | close  close