Mineral Oil
Mineral Oil Information

About Mineral Oil

Mineral oil or liquid petroleum is a by product in distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline.It is a transparent ,colourless oil composed mainly of alkanes and cyclic paraffins,related to white petrolatum.

Indications

Mineral Oil is primarily indicated in conditions like Bowel evacuation, Constipation, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Dry eye syndrome.

Contraindication

Mineral Oil is contraindicated in conditions like Intestinal obstruction,Appendicitis,Neonates.

Side Effects

Mineral Oil produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Granulomatous reactions. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Mineral Oil therapy.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Mineral Oil are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Diarrhea, Abdominal cramps, Abdominal pain, Nausea and vomiting, Dehydration, dizziness.

Warnings

Should be use with caution in patients with anal seepage and lipid pneumonitis.It should not be used when abdominal pain, nuasea or vomiting is present becouse of risk of aspiratin,oral liquid paraffin should not be given to pateint with impaired neurodevelopment or difficulty in swallowing prolong use should be avoided.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, Cardiac / Hypertensive Patients, patients suffering from Kidney dysfunction, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.