Lubricant
Liquid paraffin
Adult dose
Dose: PO 10–30mL nocte (constipation; rarely used). Topical/ophthalmic per formulation
Route: PO/Topical
Frequency: varies
Clinical pearls
- Constipation as last-line; emollient for dry skin and dry eye
- Caution PO use in elderly / impaired swallow
Contraindications
- Children <3 (PO)
- Risk of aspiration (PO)
Side effects
- Anal irritation/leakage (PO)
- Lipoid pneumonia (aspiration)
- Reduced absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Interactions
- Fat-soluble vitamins (reduced absorption)
Reference: BNF; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/liquid-paraffin/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Lower Gastrointestinal Bleed · BSG 2019; NICE NG141
- Variceal Upper GI Bleed · BSG 2015; Baveno VII (2022)
- Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) · BSG / EASL 2018
- Hepatorenal Syndrome · EASL 2018; ICA 2015
- Hepatic Encephalopathy · EASL 2014; West Haven criteria
- Clostridioides difficile Colitis · NICE NG199 (2021); IDSA/SHEA 2021