By keeping your intestines and stool well-hydrated, the stool is softened and easier to pass through your system and, ultimately, to eliminate.
Mineral oil, along with other ingestible laxative products like Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide), have long been successfully used to treat constipation. So much so that some doctors recommend them over other laxative options.
But when you’re dealing with chronic constipation, you may want to consider alternative laxative options due to the long-term effects of using mineral oil.
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Long-Term Effects of Mineral Oil
When consideringtreatment for chronic constipation, you must consider the long-term effects of the treatment you choose. Like other common laxatives, prolonged use of mineral oil can ultimately cause dependence, which comes with its own issues.
Other side effects of ingesting mineral oil can range from mild to serious, and while rare, should be considered before starting a long-term treatment plan. In addition to understanding the long-term effects of its impact on nutrient absorption or rectal issues, you should be sure that you are not on the list of people who shouldn’t use mineral oil.
Impact on Vitamin and Mineral Absorption
When taken with meals, ingesting mineral oil can interfere with the absorption of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. It can also interfere with the absorption of vitamins, particularly the fat-soluble ones, like vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
This negative impact on nutrient absorption is the reason why mineral oil is commonly taken at night on an empty stomach, which can come with its own unpleasant side effects like stomach upset and nausea.
To ensure your body is still getting all of the nutrients it needs while you are taking mineral oil, consider taking nutritional supplements at least two hours before or after drinking mineral oil.
Mineral Oil and Rectal Issues
Ingesting mineral oil regularly and in large doses can also cause a number of anorectal side effects, including:
Mineral Oil and Lung Inflammation
In addition to those side effects and long-term issues associated with ingesting mineral oil, if you continually inhale its vapors while you’re taking it orally, you could develop lipid pneumonitis or lung inflammation. This condition is more likely to develop if you take your dose at bedtime or if you are older and confined to bed rest.
What Makes Pneumonitis vs. Pneumonia Different?
Who Should Avoid Taking Mineral Oil?
Certain people should not use mineral oil, including:
Overdosing on Mineral Oil
You can overdose on mineral oil. If you’re taking mineral oil as a laxative, symptoms you may experience if you have taken too much include:
If you suspect an overdose, you should seek medical attention immediately.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Portalatin M, Winstead N.Medical management of constipation.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):12-9. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301754
American Academy of Family Physicians.Laxatives: OTC products for constipation. January 2018.
Gordon M, Naidoo K, Akobeng AK, Thomas AG.Cochrane Review: Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation (Review).Evid Based Child Health. 2013;8(1):57-109. doi:10.1002/ebch.1893
American Family Physician.Over-the-counter medications In pregnancy. October 2014.
Mount Sinai.Mineral oil overdose.
National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus:Mineral Oil Overdose. Updated September 2017.National Institutes of Health, Toxnet: Mineral Oil - Human Health EffectsWeinstein, M. First Do No Harm: The Dangers of Mineral Oil, Paediatric Child Health (2001).
National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus:Mineral Oil Overdose. Updated September 2017.
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