Can you take Mineral oil with Unilax?
2 drug interactions and 9 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- mineral oil
- Unilax (docusate/phenolphthalein)
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
phenolphthalein docusate
Applies to: Unilax (docusate / phenolphthalein) and Unilax (docusate / phenolphthalein)
Ask your doctor before using phenolphthalein together with docusate. Taking these medicaions together can increase the effects of phenolphthalein. Phenolphthalein is now being removed from the market because it may cause cancer. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate:
mineral oil docusate
Applies to: mineral oil and Unilax (docusate / phenolphthalein)
Ask your doctor before using docusate together with mineral oil. Using these medications together is not recommended and can increase the absorption of mineral oil. Some common side effects of mineral oil are loss of normal reflexes to move your bowels, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. This interaction does not apply to topical mineral oil. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Therapeutic duplication warnings
Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition.
It can be intentional, when combining drugs with similar actions adds demonstrated therapeutic benefit — or unintentional, such as when a patient sees multiple prescribers or fills prescriptions at more than one pharmacy, which can lead to adverse effects.
Duplication:
Stool softeners and lubricants
The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'stool softeners and lubricants' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'stool softeners and lubricants' category:
- mineral oil
- Unilax (docusate/phenolphthalein)
Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
phenolphthalein multivitamins with minerals
Applies to: Unilax (docusate / phenolphthalein)
Chronic use of phenolphthalein may reduce your body's ability to absorb certain vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and minerals like calcium. To reduce the risk of diminished absorption of multivitamins with minerals, it is best to use phenolphthalein only occasionally or for short periods. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate:
mineral oil multivitamins with minerals
Applies to: mineral oil
Using mineral oil together with multivitamins with minerals may decrease the effects of multivitamins with minerals. Multivitamins with minerals should be administered at least 1 to 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after mineral oil. This interaction does not apply to topical mineral oil. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
6 potential interactions Applies to: 4 conditions, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Bleeding Disorder, Appendicitis, and Gastrointestinal Obstruction.
Appendicitis
Major:
mineral oil
Mineral oil has a major potential interaction with Appendicitis.
The use of stimulant laxatives is contraindicated in patients with or who may have acute surgical abdomen or appendicitis. These patients may be candidates for emergency surgery. Stimulant laxatives should also not be administered to patients with abdominal pain, particularly if the cause has not been determined.
Bleeding Disorder
Major:
mineral oil
Mineral oil has a major potential interaction with Bleeding Disorder.
The use of stimulant laxatives is contraindicated in patients with anal or rectal fissures. These preparations may cause irritation, burning sensation, and proctitis.
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Major:
mineral oil
Mineral oil has a major potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.
The use of laxatives is contraindicated in patients with intestinal obstruction disorders. Patients with intestinal obstruction disorders may need their underlying condition treated to correct the constipation. Some laxatives require reduction in the colon to their active form to be effective which may be a problem in patients with intestinal obstruction.
Major:
Unilax
The docusate and phenolphthalein in Unilax both have a major potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Obstruction.
The use of laxatives is contraindicated in patients with intestinal obstruction disorders. Patients with intestinal obstruction disorders may need their underlying condition treated to correct the constipation. Some laxatives require reduction in the colon to their active form to be effective which may be a problem in patients with intestinal obstruction.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Major:
mineral oil
Mineral oil has a major potential interaction with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
The use of laxatives is contraindicated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may experience colonic perforation with use of stimulant laxatives.
Major:
Unilax
The docusate and phenolphthalein in Unilax both have a major potential interaction with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
The use of laxatives is contraindicated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may experience colonic perforation with use of stimulant laxatives.
Report options
More resources
mineral oil
A total of 260 drugs are known to interact with mineral oil.
- Mineral oil is in the drug class laxatives.
- Mineral oil is used to treat Constipation.
Unilax
A total of 269 drugs are known to interact with Unilax.
- Unilax is in the drug class laxatives.
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.