Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Constipation

Contraindications

Abdominal pain of unknown cause
Children under 3 years

Precautions and Warnings

Breastfeeding
Dysphagia
Pregnancy

Do not use and consult doctor if difficulty in swallowing
Avoid prolonged use
Liquid paraffin impairs the absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Advise patient to avoid taking immediately before going to bed

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use liquid paraffin with caution during pregnancy.

The manufacturer advises that as with all medicines avoid liquid paraffin in early pregnancy.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use liquid paraffin with caution during breastfeeding.

The manufacturer advises that as with all medicines avoid liquid paraffin in breastfeeding.

The UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service consider that there is minimal absorption of liquid paraffin from the infant's GI tract and that liquid paraffin is usually compatible with breastfeeding.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Anal irritation
Anal seepage
Granulomatous reactions
Interference with absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Lipoid pneumonia

Presentation

Oral formulations of liquid paraffin.

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Constipation

Dosage

Adults

Children

Contraindications

Abdominal pain of unknown cause
Children under 3 years

Precautions and Warnings

Breastfeeding
Dysphagia
Pregnancy

Do not use and consult doctor if difficulty in swallowing
Avoid prolonged use
Liquid paraffin impairs the absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Advise patient to avoid taking immediately before going to bed

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use liquid paraffin with caution during pregnancy.

The manufacturer advises that as with all medicines avoid liquid paraffin in early pregnancy.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use liquid paraffin with caution during breastfeeding.

The manufacturer advises that as with all medicines avoid liquid paraffin in breastfeeding.

The UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service consider that there is minimal absorption of liquid paraffin from the infant's GI tract and that liquid paraffin is usually compatible with breastfeeding.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Anal irritation
Anal seepage
Granulomatous reactions
Interference with absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Lipoid pneumonia

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: September 2015

Reference Sources

Summary of Product Characteristics: Liquid Paraffin BP. Bell, Sons & Co. Revised September 2016.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Liquid Paraffin BP. Thornton & Ross Ltd. Revised April 2015.

UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service.
Available at: https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1
Last accessed: 25 September 2015