Constipation:
Oral: Note: Do not use for more than 1 week.
Plain (nonemulsified) liquid: 15 to 45 mL in 24 hours (maximum: 45 mL in 24 hours). May be taken as a single dose (at bedtime) or in divided doses.
Suspension (emulsion) (Kondremul): 30 to 90 mL daily (maximum: 90 mL daily). May be taken as a single dose or in up to 3 equal divided doses.
Rectal (Fleet Mineral Oil): 118 mL as a single dose
Fecal impaction or following barium studies: Rectal (Fleet Mineral Oil): 118 mL as a single dose
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
(For additional information see "Mineral oil: Pediatric drug information")
Constipation, occasional:
Oral:
Plain (nonemulsified) liquid:
Children 6 to 11 years: 5 to 15 mL/day in a single daily dose at bedtime or in divided doses; maximum daily dose: 15 mL/day
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 15 to 45 mL/day in a single daily dose at bedtime or in divided doses; maximum daily dose: 45 mL/day
Suspension (emulsion) (Kondremul):
Children 6 to 11 years: 10 to 30 mL/day in a single daily dose or in up to 3 divided doses
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: 30 to 90 mL/day in a single daily dose or in up to 3 divided doses
Rectal:
Children 2 to 11 years: Administer one half the contents of a 4.5 oz bottle as a single dose
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Administer the contents of one 4.5 oz bottle as a single dose
Constipation, chronic: Limited data available (Tabbers [NASPGHAN 2014]):
Oral: Children and Adolescents: 1 to 3 mL/kg/day divided in 1 to 2 doses; maximum daily dose: 90 mL/day
Rectal:
Children 2 to 11 years: 30 to 60 mL once daily
Children >11 years and Adolescents: 60 to 150 mL once daily
Fecal impaction:
Oral: Slow disimpaction: Children and Adolescents: 3 mL/kg twice daily for 7 days (Pashankar 2005; Wyllie 2011)
Rectal:
Children 2 to 11 years: Administer one half the contents of a 4.5 oz bottle as a single dose
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Administer the contents of one 4.5 oz bottle as a single dose
Removal of barium sulfate residues following barium administration: Rectal:
Children 2 to 11 years: Administer one half the contents of a 4.5 oz bottle as a single dose
Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Administer the contents of one 4.5 oz bottle as a single dose
Oral: Avoid use (Beers Criteria [AGS 2019]).
Rectal: Refer to adult dosing.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Enema, Rectal:
Fleet Oil: (133 mL)
Generic: (135 mL [DSC])
Oil, Oral:
GoodSense Mineral Oil: (473 mL) [odorless]
Generic: (30 mL, 472 mL [DSC], 473 mL, 500 mL, 1000 mL, 4000 mL)
Yes
Oral: Mineral oil may be more palatable if refrigerated (NASGHAN 2006). Due to risk of aspiration, do not administer to patient in supine position. Do not take with meals.
Plain (nonemulsified): Administer at bedtime unless administered in divided doses. Administer at least 2 hours before or after other medications.
Suspension (emulsion) (Kondremul): Shake well before use. May administer plain or mixed with warm or cold water, milk, or cocoa.
Rectal (Fleet Mineral Oil): Gently insert enema rectally following the instructions on the package labeling.
Oral: Mineral oil may be more palatable if refrigerated (NASGHAN 2006). Note: Due to risk of aspiration, do not administer to patient in supine position.
Plain (nonemulsified): Administer on an empty stomach. Take at least 2 hours before or after other medications.
Suspension (emulsion) (Kondremul): Shake well before use. May be administered alone or mixed with warm or cold water, milk, or cocoa; do not take with meals.
Rectal: Administer with patient lying on left side and knees bent or with patient kneeling and head and chest leaning forward until left side of face is resting comfortably. Remove protective shield and gently insert enema tip into rectum with a slight side-to-side movement with tip pointing toward the navel; have patient bear down. Do not force the enema tip into the rectum as this may cause injury. Squeeze the bottle until correct dose is administered. It is not necessary to empty the bottle completely for a one-bottle dose. Remove enema tip from rectum.
Oral: Temporary relief of occasional constipation
Rectal: Temporary relief of occasional constipation, relief of fecal impaction; removal of barium sulfate residues following barium administration
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) includes this medication among its list of drugs that have a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error.
Beers Criteria: Mineral oil (when administered orally) is identified in the Beers Criteria as a potentially inappropriate medication to be avoided in patients 65 years and older (independent of diagnosis or condition) due to its potential for aspiration and adverse events; safer alternatives exist (Beers Criteria [AGS 2019]).
KIDs List: Mineral oil, when used in infants <1 year of age and administered orally, is identified on the Key Potentially Inappropriate Drugs in Pediatrics (KIDs) list; use should be avoided due to risk of lipid pneumonitis (strong recommendation; low quality of evidence) (PPA [Meyers 2020]).
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified. Frequency not defined.
Gastrointestinal: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, oily rectal leakage (large doses; may cause anal irritation, hemorrhoids, perianal discomfort, pruritus ani, soiling of clothes), vomiting
Oral: Children <6 years, pregnancy, bedridden patients, elderly, use longer than 1 week, or difficulty swallowing.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Aspiration: Lipid pneumonitis results from aspiration of mineral oil; risk is increased in patients in prolonged supine position or conditions which interfere with swallowing or epiglottal function (eg, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, esophageal dysmotility).
Other warnings/precautions:
• OTC labeling: Health care provider should be contacted in case of sudden changes in bowel habits which last over 2 weeks or if abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or rectal bleeding occur following use; do not use for >1 week, unless otherwise directed by healthcare provider. Do not use orally in children <6 years of age or rectally in children <2 years of age.
Not recommended for use in infants due to increased risk of aspiration (NASPHAGAN, 2006).
None known.
Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE): Mineral Oil may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE). Management: Avoid concomitant oral administration of mineral oil and multivitamins when possible; consider separating the administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the risk of interaction. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron): Mineral Oil may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron). Specifically, mineral oil may impair the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Management: Avoid concomitant oral administration of mineral oil and multivitamins when possible; consider separating the administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the risk of interaction. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Multivitamins/Minerals (with AE, No Iron): Mineral Oil may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Minerals (with AE, No Iron). Management: Avoid concomitant oral administration of mineral oil and multivitamins when possible; consider separating the administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the risk of interaction. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Vitamin D Analogs: Mineral Oil may decrease the serum concentration of Vitamin D Analogs. More specifically, mineral oil may interfere with the absorption of Vitamin D Analogs. Management: Avoid concomitant, oral administration of mineral oil and vitamin D analogs. Consider separating the administration of these agents by several hours to minimize the risk of interaction. Monitor plasma calcium concentrations. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Mineral oil is not recommended for the treatment of constipation in pregnant women. Use may be associated with decreased maternal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, which may cause adverse maternal and neonatal effects (Body 2016; Gomes 2018).
Do not administer orally with food or meals because of the risk of aspiration; prolonged administration of mineral oil may decrease absorption of lipid-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Light sterile mineral oils are not for injection.
Monitor for response (stool frequency, consistency).
Eases passage of stool by decreasing water absorption and lubricating the intestine; retards colonic absorption of water
Onset of action: Oral: 6 to 8 hours; Rectal: 2 to15 minutes
Absorption: Minimal following oral or rectal administration
Distribution: Into intestinal mucosa, liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes
Excretion: Feces
