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Mineral Oil

Also indexed as: Agoral, Kondremul Plain, Liquid Parafin, Milkinol, Neo-Cultol, Petrogalar Plain

Illustration

Mineral oil is a laxative used to soften stools in people with constipation. Mineral oil is also used as a vehicle to carry other ingredients in some topical skin products.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, a herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.

Beneficial May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them.

Beta-carotene

Calcium*

Phosphorus*

Potassium*

Vitamin A*

Vitamin D*

Vitamin E*

Vitamin K*
Side effect reduction/prevention

None known
Supportive interaction

None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability

None known
Adverse interaction

None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Vitamins and minerals
Mineral oil has interfered with the absorption of many nutrients, including beta-carotene, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins A, D, K, and E in some,1 but not all,2 research. Taking mineral oil on an empty stomach may reduce this interference. It makes sense to take a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement two hours before or after mineral oil. It is important to read labels, because many multivitamins do not contain vitamin K or contain inadequate (less than 100 mcg per day) amounts.

References

1. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 176.

2. Clark JH, Russell GJ, Fitzgerald JF, Nagamori KE. Serum beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol levels during mineral oil therapy for constipation. Am J Dis Child 1987;141:1210–2.