How to Relieve Constipation with Mineral Oil
Do not take oral mineral oil with meals.
Mineral oil (oral/rectal)
Generic name: mineral oil (oral/rectal) [ MIN-er-al-OYL ]
Brand names: Fleet Mineral Oil Enema, Kondremul Plain, Muri-Lube, Milkinol, Mineral Oil, . show all 10 brands Light, Mineral Oil, Heavy, Liqui Doss, Leader Mineral Oil Enema
Dosage forms: oral emulsion (100%); oral liquid (100%); rectal enema (100%)
Drug class: Laxatives
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 21, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.
What is mineral oil?
Mineral oil is used to treat occasional constipation. The oral form is taken by mouth. The rectal form is used as an enema applied in the rectum.
Mineral oil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Before using mineral oil tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies, all medicines you use, and if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
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Before taking this medicine
People with eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia) should not use laxatives without a doctor’s advice.
You should not use mineral oil if you are allergic to it.
Do not take oral mineral oil if:
- you have trouble swallowing;
- you are pregnant; or
- you are ill, debilitated, or bedridden.
Do not give oral mineral oil to a child younger than 12 years old. Do not use rectal mineral oil in a child younger than 2 years old.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if oral or rectal mineral oil is safe to use if you have:
- stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting;
- a bowel obstruction or severe constipation;
- a sudden change in bowel habits lasting 2 weeks or longer; or
- if you have used any other laxative within the past 7 days.
Ask a doctor before using rectal mineral oil if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Do not take oral mineral oil if you are pregnant.
How should I use mineral oil?
Use mineral oil at bedtime, exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take oral mineral oil with meals.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Wash your hands before and after using the enema.
Do not use more than 1 mineral oil enema in a 24-hour period.
Each enema bottle is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left inside.
Oral mineral oil should produce a bowel movement within 6 to 8 hours. Rectal mineral oil should produce a bowel movement within 2 to 15 minutes.
Call your doctor if you do not get any results after using mineral oil.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Do not use mineral oil for longer than 1 week unless your doctor has told you to.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since mineral oil is used as needed, you will not be on a frequent dosing schedule. Do not use a mineral oil enema more than one time in a 24-hour period.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using mineral oil?
Do not take the rectal enema by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
Do not use other laxatives while using this medication, unless your doctor has told you to.
Mineral oil side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Mineral oil may cause serious side effects. Stop using mineral oil and call your doctor at once if you have:
- no bowel movement after use;
- rectal bleeding;
- blood in your stools; or
- severe and worsening stomach pain, cramping, or bloating.
Common side effects of mineral oil may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect mineral oil?
Other drugs may affect mineral oil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
More about mineral oil
- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: laxatives
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Patient Information
- Mineral Oil Oral Emulsion
- Mineral Oil Oral Liquid
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Further information
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How to Relieve Constipation with Mineral Oil
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Constipation is an uncomfortable, sometimes painful, condition. It happens when the movement of stool through your bowels slows. Stools can become dry and hard. This makes them difficult to pass.
Most people have at least occasional periods of constipation. Some people have it on a regular basis.
If you’re constipated, it may mean that you have infrequent bowel movements. This means having less than three bowel movements per week.
There are many prescription and over-the-counter laxatives available to treat constipation. One of these options is mineral oil.
Mineral oil is a lubricant laxative. It’s been used for many years to make it easier to have a bowel movement, and is generally considered safe and effective.
Mineral oil coats the stool and the inside of the bowel with moisture. This helps keep the stool from drying out.
You can buy mineral oil here. It’s available in liquid or oral form, or as an enema.
Drink the plain liquid or mix it with water or another drink. A mineral oil enema usually comes in a squeezable tube. This allows you to deliver the oil directly into your rectum.
Because mineral oil takes about 8 hours to work, consider taking it right before bedtime. This may limit or reduce your chance of waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
Avoid taking it with meals because mineral oil can interfere with your body’s absorption of several important nutrients. This is also why it’s not recommended for pregnant women to treat constipation.
Don’t take mineral oil within 2 hours of taking another medication because it can interfere with the other medication’s effectiveness.
The laxative is sold as plain mineral oil and as a mineral oil emulsion, which means the oil has been mixed with another liquid. Regardless of which type of mineral oil laxative you buy, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
Oral doses range from 15 to 30 milliliters (ml) of mineral oil for children under 6. These numbers can vary depending on the product. Some doctors say children under the age of 6 shouldn’t take mineral oil.
If you have questions, check with your pediatrician about any changes in guidelines or recommendations for mineral oil as a laxative.
Adults can take 15 to 45 ml of mineral oil orally. These numbers will vary depending on the product. Ask your doctor about what dose is appropriate for you.
Like other laxatives, mineral oil is meant to provide short-term relief. If you have success using it yet your constipation problems continue, your doctor may recommend careful use. But try to avoid using it for an extended period.
Talk to your doctor if you don’t notice any improvement after a week of using this laxative.
Be careful when giving mineral oil to your child. If a child inhales it, it can result in respiratory difficulty. It may also result in pneumonia.
If you or your child develops a cough or other respiratory problems after starting mineral oil, tell your doctor.
Because you can’t digest mineral oil, some may leak out of the rectum. This can make a mess and irritate the rectum. Taking smaller doses may help solve this problem.
Allergies to mineral oil are unusual. If you have problems with itching, swelling, or breathing trouble, seek immediate medical attention.
The older you get, the more you’re at risk for constipation. Women tend to be more likely than men to develop constipation. This is at least partly because constipation commonly occurs during pregnancy.
Additional risk factors for constipation include:
- being dehydrated
- not getting enough fiber in your diet
- having thyroid disease, which is more common in women
- taking certain narcotic drugs
- taking certain sedatives
- taking certain medications to lower your blood pressure
- having medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
- having weakened pelvic muscles, or ones that no longer relax and constrict
Certain lifestyle choices can help you avoid this difficult digestive problem. Make sure your diet contains plenty of roughage, like fruit, whole grains, and green, leafy vegetables.
Staying hydrated is also important. Try to drink six to eight glasses of water each day, unless your doctor says otherwise.
Exercising every day can also help improve your digestion and your overall physical health.
A mineral oil laxative should work after the first dose. If it doesn’t, check the product’s label or discuss your options with your doctor. It may take a few days for you to get relief.
If you don’t get relief after a week, you may need to try a different type of laxative.
If you have success with mineral oil, be careful not to overdo it. It’s possible to use a laxative so much that you eventually have trouble having a bowel movement without using one.
Last medically reviewed on December 10, 2018
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Constipation.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253 - Mineral oil. (n.d.).
nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications/Mineral-oil
