mineral oil rectal (OTC)

Brand and Other Names:Fleet Mineral Oil Enema

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

enema

  • 118mL

Constipation/Fecal Impaction

Contents of 1 bottle (ie, 118 mL) rectally as a single dose

May also be used following barium studies

Administration

Patient should lie on left side with right knee bent

Gently insert enema tip into rectum using slight side-to-side movement; point enema tip toward navel (ease insertion by having patient bear down, as if having a bowel movement, to relax anal muscles)

Do not force enema tip into rectum

Squeeze bottle to deliver all contents in bottle

Remove enema tip from rectum

Retain enema in accordance with doctor's instructions

If stool remains that is not softened or lubricated, use cleansing enema

Dosage Forms & Strengths

enema

  • 118mL

Constipation/Fecal Impaction

<1 year: Safety & efficacy not established

2-12 years: One-half bottle (ie, 59 mL) rectally as a single dose

>12 years: As adults; contents of 1 bottle (ie, 118 mL) rectally as a single dose

Administration

Patient should lie on left side with right knee bent

Gently insert enema tip into rectum using slight side-to-side movement; point enema tip toward navel (ease insertion by having patient bear down, as if having a bowel movement, to relax anal muscles)

Do not force enema tip into rectum

Squeeze bottle to deliver appropriate dose

Remove enema tip from rectum

Retain enema in accordance with doctor's instructions

If stool remains that is not softened or lubricated, use cleansing enema

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Adverse Effects

Frequency Not Defined

Anal seepage

Pruritus ani

Perianal discomfort

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Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Patients with colostomy, ileostomy, appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis

<13 years

Bedridden patients

Presently taking stool softener laxative

Cautions

For rectal use only

Excessive use may cause electrolyte imbalance, steatorrhea, osteomalacia, diarrhea, & cathartic colon

Ask healthcare professional if already used laxative for >3 days, experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, or experienced sudden bowel habits that persist over period of 2 weeks

To be taken only at bedtime; do not use at any other time or administer to infants, except upon advice of a physician

Discontinue use and talk to healthcare professional if experience bleeding after use or fail to have bowel movement within 30 minutes of enema use

Keep out of reach of children; if swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (800-222-1222)

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Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy

Ask healthcare professional

Lactation

Ask healthcare professional

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

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Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Emollient; softens stool in colon by retarding colonic absorption of fecal water

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Images

No images available for this drug.
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Patient Handout

A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.