- The most common side effects of mineral oil when used as a laxative are not normally serious in nature and often subside as your body becomes accustomed to its effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, for people who are bedridden, pregnant, nursing or under six years of age, mineral oil laxatives may not be safe.
- The most common side effects of mineral oil laxative treatment include skin irritation, such as redness, inflammation or itching.
- As with all laxatives, avoid using mineral oil for more than two weeks, as long-term use can lead to dependence upon laxatives to produce any bowel movements, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- More serious risks associated with mineral oil laxatives include rectal bleeding and blistering. In children and people over the age of 65, mineral oil laxative use has the potential to cause weakness, increased sweating and seizures, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- If you have appendicitis or an intestinal blockage, avoid using mineral oil as a laxative. If you have a history of heart failure, stomach pain, rectal bleeding or kidney disease, it may not be safe for you to use mineral oil as a laxative, according to Drugs.com.
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