Enema (Faecal Softener / Emollient) Pregnancy: The use of enemas is not recommended during pregnancy except under medical advice (§4.6).

Arachis Oil (Peanut Oil)

Brand names: Fleet Enema Oil (arachis oil component), arachis oil enema

Arachis (peanut) oil is used as a faecal softener, chiefly as a retention enema to soften and lubricate impacted hardened stool prior to evacuation.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 1 enema

Route: rectal (for single rectal use)

Frequency: as required

SPC §4.2 (Arachis Oil Enema), Adults and elderly: '1 enema as required.' Method of administration: for single rectal use; the enema should be warmed before use by placing in warm water. Paediatric population: the SPC states only 'In proportion, according to body weight' — no numeric paediatric dose is given, so no structured paediatric dose can be derived from this source. §4.4: not for use in children unless under medical supervision; use with caution in patients with intestinal obstruction; care should be taken not to use undue force in administration of the enema, especially in the elderly or debilitated patients or those with neurological disorders.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to peanut or soya
Inflammatory bowel disease, except under medical advice

Side effects

Local irritation (as with other rectally applied substances)

Interactions

§4.5: None known

Clinical monograph

How it works

It acts locally to soften and lubricate the faecal mass, easing the passage of impacted stool.

Prescribing in practice

It is contraindicated in patients with known peanut or soya allergy because of the risk of hypersensitivity reactions.
It is used for the relief of faecal impaction and is often warmed before administration as a retention enema to improve patient comfort.
Exclude bowel obstruction or other contraindications to enema use before administration.

Monitoring

No laboratory monitoring is required; assess the clinical response in terms of stool softening and successful evacuation.

Counselling the patient

Tell your healthcare team if you have any allergy to peanuts or soya.
The enema is usually retained for a period to allow the hard stool to soften.
Report any allergic symptoms such as rash, itching or breathing difficulty.

Evidence & guidelines

Arachis oil enemas are an established option for softening impacted faeces and are described in current prescribing references.

Reference: NICE CKS Constipation (2023); Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways