MINERAL OIL, WHITE PETROLATUM
Chemistry - Mineral Oil, also known as liquid petrolatum, liquid paraffin or white mineral oiloccurs as a tasteless, odorless (when cold), transparent, colorless, oily liquid that is insoluble in bothwater and alcohol. It is a mixture of complex hydrocarbons and is derived from crude petroleum.
For pharmaceutical purposes, heavy mineral oil is recommended over light mineral oil, as it isbelieved to have a lesser tendency to be absorbed in the gut or aspirated after oral administration.
White petrolatum, also known as white petroleum jelly or white soft paraffin occurs as a white orfaintly yellow unctious mass. It is insoluble in water and almost insoluble in alcohol. Whitepetrolatum differs from petrolatum only in that it is further refined to remove more of the yellowcolor.
Uses, Indications - Mineral oil is commonly used in horses to treat constipation and fecal impactions. It is also employed as a laxative in other species as well, but used less frequently. Mineraloil has been administered after ingesting lipid-soluble toxins (e.g., kerosene, metalaldehyde) toretard the absorption of these toxins through its laxative and solubility properties.
Petrolatum containing products (e.g., Felaxin®, Laxatone®, Kat-A-Lax®, etc.) may be used indogs and cats as a laxative or to prevent/reduce "hair-balls" in cats.
Contraindications/Precautions - No specific contraindications were noted with regard to veterinary patients. In humans, mineral oil (orally administered) is considered to be contraindicated inpatients less than 6 yrs. old, debilitated or pregnant patients, and in patients with hiatal hernia, dysphagia, esophogeal or gastric retention. Use caution when administering by tube to avoid aspiration, especially in debilitated or recalcitrant animals. To avoid aspiration in small animals, orallyadministered mineral oil should not be attempted when there is an increased risk of vomiting, regurgitation or other preexisting swallowing difficulty.
Granulomatous reactions have occurred in the liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes whensignificant quantities of mineral oil are absorbed from the gut. Oil leakage from the anus may occurand be of concern in animals with rectal lesions or in house pets. Long-term administration ofmineral oil/petrolatum may lead to decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K). Noreports were found documenting clinically significant hypovitaminosis in cats receiving long-termpetrolatum therapy, however.
Overdosage - No specific information was located regarding overdoses of mineral oil; but it wouldbe expected that with the exception of aspiration, the effects would be self-limiting. See adverseeffects section for more information.
Chronic administration of mineral oil may affect Vitamin K and other fat soluble vitamin absorption. It has been recommended to administer mineral oil products between meals to minimizethis problem.
For pharmaceutical purposes, heavy mineral oil is recommended over light mineral oil, as it isbelieved to have a lesser tendency to be absorbed in the gut or aspirated after oral administration.
White petrolatum, also known as white petroleum jelly or white soft paraffin occurs as a white orfaintly yellow unctious mass. It is insoluble in water and almost insoluble in alcohol. Whitepetrolatum differs from petrolatum only in that it is further refined to remove more of the yellowcolor.
Storage, Stability, Compatibility
Petrolatum products should be stored at temperatures lessthan 30°C.Pharmacology - MINERAL OIL, WHITE PETROLATUM
Mineral oil and petrolatum act as a laxatives by lubricating fecal material and theintestinal mucosa. They also reduce reabsorption of water from the GI tract, thereby increasing fecalbulk and decreasing intestinal transit time.Uses, Indications - Mineral oil is commonly used in horses to treat constipation and fecal impactions. It is also employed as a laxative in other species as well, but used less frequently. Mineraloil has been administered after ingesting lipid-soluble toxins (e.g., kerosene, metalaldehyde) toretard the absorption of these toxins through its laxative and solubility properties.
Petrolatum containing products (e.g., Felaxin®, Laxatone®, Kat-A-Lax®, etc.) may be used indogs and cats as a laxative or to prevent/reduce "hair-balls" in cats.
Pharmacokinetics - MINERAL OIL, WHITE PETROLATUM
It has been reported that after oral administration, emulsions of mineral oilmay be up to 60% absorbed, but most reports state that mineral oil preparations are only minimallyabsorbed from the gut.Contraindications/Precautions - No specific contraindications were noted with regard to veterinary patients. In humans, mineral oil (orally administered) is considered to be contraindicated inpatients less than 6 yrs. old, debilitated or pregnant patients, and in patients with hiatal hernia, dysphagia, esophogeal or gastric retention. Use caution when administering by tube to avoid aspiration, especially in debilitated or recalcitrant animals. To avoid aspiration in small animals, orallyadministered mineral oil should not be attempted when there is an increased risk of vomiting, regurgitation or other preexisting swallowing difficulty.
Adverse Effects, Warnings
When used on a short-term basis and at recommended doses, mineral oil or petrolatum should cause minimal adverse effects. The most serious effect that could beencountered is aspiration of the oil with resultant lipid pneumonitis. This can be prevented by usingthe drug in appropriate cases and when "tubing" to ascertain that the tube is in the stomach and toadminister the oil at a reasonable rate.Granulomatous reactions have occurred in the liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes whensignificant quantities of mineral oil are absorbed from the gut. Oil leakage from the anus may occurand be of concern in animals with rectal lesions or in house pets. Long-term administration ofmineral oil/petrolatum may lead to decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K). Noreports were found documenting clinically significant hypovitaminosis in cats receiving long-termpetrolatum therapy, however.
Overdosage - No specific information was located regarding overdoses of mineral oil; but it wouldbe expected that with the exception of aspiration, the effects would be self-limiting. See adverseeffects section for more information.
Drug Interactions
Theoretically, mineral oil should not be given with docusate (DSS) as enhanced absorption of the mineral oil could occur. However, this does not appear to be of significantclinical concern with large animals.Chronic administration of mineral oil may affect Vitamin K and other fat soluble vitamin absorption. It has been recommended to administer mineral oil products between meals to minimizethis problem.