Liquid paraffin (medicinal)
Encyclopedia
Medicinal liquid paraffin is a very highly refined mineral white oil used in cosmetics and for medical purposes. This is a UK
definition (British Pharmacopoeia
) and the term may have different uses in other countries. The cosmetic or medicinal liquid paraffin should not be confused with the paraffin (or kerosene
) used as a fuel.
Liquid paraffin also forms an ingredient of the osmotic laxative "Magnesium & Liquid Paraffin", sold under the name Mil-Par.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
definition (British Pharmacopoeia
British Pharmacopoeia
The British Pharmacopoeia is an annual published collection of quality standards for UK medicinal substances. It is used by individuals and organizations involved in pharmaceutical research, development, manufacture and testing....
) and the term may have different uses in other countries. The cosmetic or medicinal liquid paraffin should not be confused with the paraffin (or kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
) used as a fuel.
Usage
Liquid paraffin—as Liquid Paraffin Oral Emulsion BP—is considered to have a limited usefulness as an occasional laxative, but is unsuitable for regular use as it can seep from the anus and cause irritation; it can interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins; it can be absorbed into the intestinal wall and may cause foreign-body granulamatous reactions; and if it enters the lungs it can cause lipoid pneumonia.Liquid paraffin also forms an ingredient of the osmotic laxative "Magnesium & Liquid Paraffin", sold under the name Mil-Par.