LIQUID PARAFFIN 5LITRE

Overview & Mechanism of Action

• Liquid Paraffin 5 Litre (bulk pharmaceutical liquid) consists of a mixture of heavy liquid saturated hydrocarbons providing dual gastrointestinal and dermatological action:
• Intestinal Lubrication & Stool Softening: Functions as an unabsorbed lubricant laxative throughout the gastrointestinal tract, coating the intestinal mucosa and stool mass to retard colonic reabsorption of water, softening feces and easing bowel passage.
• Epidermal Barrier Protection & Hydration: When applied topically, it creates a continuous hydrophobic occlusive barrier across the stratum corneum, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and restoring moisture to severely dehydrated skin.
• Physicochemical Inertness: Chemically unreactive and non-metabolized by systemic tissues, making it an ideal inert base for pharmaceutical compounding, hospital preparation, and clinical usage.

Clinical Indications & Uses

• Liquid Paraffin 5 Litre is indicated for:
• Short-term management of acute or chronic constipation where straining during defecation must be avoided (e.g., hemorrhoids, anal fissures, post-hernia surgery, cardiac conditions)
• Softening bowel contents in cases of painful fecal impaction under clinical guidance
• Topical emollient therapy for severe dry skin disorders, xerosis, icthyosis, and eczema
• Bulk preparation and vehicle base for topical hospital formulas and ointment compounding

Usage Guidance & Safety Precautions

Administration:

• For oral use, take on an empty stomach at least 2 hours apart from food or fat-soluble vitamins, preferably at bedtime. For topical application, smooth gently onto clean, affected skin areas as needed.

Recommended Dosage:

• Adults (Oral Laxative): 10ml to 30ml daily as a single dose at bedtime, or as prescribed by a physician.
• Children over 12 years: 10ml to 15ml daily at bedtime.
• Topical Application: Apply directly to clean skin 2 to 3 times daily.

Precautions & Warnings:

• For oral or topical administration. Do not administer immediately before lying down, and strictly avoid use in bedridden, elderly, or dysphagic patients due to the severe risk of lipid aspiration pneumonia. Prolonged oral administration ($>1\text{ week}$) is contraindicated as it impairs the intestinal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). Do not use in the presence of acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or intestinal obstruction. Store below $25^\circ\text{C}$ in a cool, dry place. Keep container tightly sealed and out of reach of children.