Drug reference
mineral oil
Emollient; Stool softener · Laxative
Emollient; Stool softenerLaxativeATC A06AA01
CDSCO approvedATC A06AA01
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Mechanism
Mineral oil is indigestible and absorbed to a limited extent. When taken orally for 2 to 3 days, it penetrates and softens the stool and may interfere with water resorption.
Pharmacokinetics
Bioavailability
Absorbed only to a limited extent
Side effects
Common
Leakage of oil past the anal sphincter
Serious
- Interference with absorption of fat-soluble substances (e.g., vitamins)
- Elicitation of foreign-body reactions in the intestinal mucosa and other tissues
- Lipid pneumonitis (due to aspiration; rare)
Drug interactions
12 additional unreviewed or low-confidence interactions hidden because their provenance or source detail is insufficient.
Related guidelines
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Textbook-sourced·Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e·Updated: 2026-05-10