Comprehensive medication guide to Mineral Oil including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
OTC mineral oil is generally not covered by standard insurance without a prescription. HSA/FSA eligible under the CARES Act. Medicaid may cover it in some states if a prescription is written.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$6–$20 retail for a 16 oz bottle OTC; store brands (Equate, Up & Up) available for as little as $6–$8, name brands (Fleet, Kondremul) run $10–$20 per 16 oz bottle.
Medfinder Findability Score
92/100
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Mineral oil is an over-the-counter lubricant laxative derived from highly refined petroleum. It is a colorless, odorless liquid taken orally (or administered rectally as an enema) to relieve occasional constipation. Mineral oil is sold under several brand names including Fleet Mineral Oil, Kondremul Plain, Milkinol, and numerous store brands.
No prescription is required to purchase mineral oil. It is regulated by the FDA under OTC Monograph M007 for laxative drug products. It is one of the most affordable laxatives available, typically costing $6–$20 for a 16-oz bottle.
While effective for short-term constipation relief, mineral oil is contraindicated in elderly, bedridden, or neurologically impaired patients due to aspiration risk. It is not appropriate for use during pregnancy (oral form) or in children under 6 years old.
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Mineral oil is classified as a lubricant laxative, which works differently from osmotic, stimulant, or emollient laxatives. When taken orally, mineral oil passes through the stomach largely intact and travels into the small and large intestine. There it coats the intestinal mucosa and fecal material with a thin, slippery, hydrophobic film.
This coating does two things: it retards the reabsorption of water from the intestinal lumen (keeping stool softer and more hydrated), and it lubricates the intestinal walls and stool surface, making it physically easier for stool to pass through the colon and rectum. The result is a bowel movement in 6–8 hours without stimulating intestinal contractions.
For rectal enema forms, mineral oil acts within 5–15 minutes as a lubricant and by distending the rectum, triggering the defecation reflex directly. The oral and rectal forms are not interchangeable — each is used for different clinical purposes.
100% — Oral liquid
Adults and children 12+: 15–45 mL (1–3 tbsp) at bedtime. Children 6–11: 5–15 mL (1–3 tsp) at bedtime.
100% — Rectal enema (118 mL)
Unit-dose rectal enema for rectal evacuation. Acts within 5–15 minutes. Not interchangeable with oral form.
100% — Oral emulsion
Emulsified form (Kondremul Plain) — may be more palatable; same dosing as oral liquid.
Mineral oil is generally easy to find — it is not in an FDA shortage and is sold by multiple brands and store-label suppliers at major pharmacies, grocery stores, and mass retailers nationwide. A findability score of 92/100 reflects that it is widely stocked under multiple brand names and available online for fast delivery.
Occasional local stock-outs do occur at individual pharmacy locations, particularly at smaller independent pharmacies that may allocate less shelf space to older OTC laxatives. If you can't find a specific brand, any 100% mineral oil product is therapeutically equivalent.
If you're having trouble finding mineral oil at a pharmacy near you, medfinder calls local pharmacies on your behalf to check which ones have your medication in stock, then texts you the results — saving you time and wasted trips.
Mineral oil is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication — no prescription is required and any adult can purchase it directly. However, healthcare providers may recommend or prescribe it in clinical settings, particularly when prescription coverage through Medicaid is needed. Types of providers who may recommend mineral oil include:
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Gastroenterologists
Pediatricians (for children 6 and older with intact swallowing function)
OB/GYNs (though oral use is not recommended in pregnancy)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Pharmacists (OTC guidance, no prescription needed)
Telehealth providers can also advise on mineral oil use via virtual visit platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, or Amazon Clinic. Since no prescription is needed for OTC purchase, a telehealth visit can be used to confirm appropriateness for your specific health situation.
No. Mineral oil is not a controlled substance. It has no DEA schedule and is available over the counter without a prescription. There are no special prescription requirements, refill restrictions, or prescribing limitations associated with mineral oil.
Any adult can purchase mineral oil directly off the shelf at a pharmacy or grocery store. No ID, prescription, or pharmacist consultation is required. It is regulated by the FDA as an OTC drug product under OTC Monograph M007 for Laxative Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use, which means it has established safety and efficacy standards for its intended use.
Mineral oil is generally well-tolerated for short-term use. Common side effects include:
Oily anal leakage or rectal seepage (most common)
Anal irritation and itching (pruritus ani)
Nausea (especially if taken with food)
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhea (with excessive doses)
Lipoid pneumonia (aspiration): Inhaling mineral oil can cause serious lung inflammation. Risk is highest in elderly, bedridden, and neurologically impaired patients.
Vitamin A, D, E, K deficiency: Long-term use impairs absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Laxative dependence: Extended use can cause bowel dependence on laxatives.
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Polyethylene Glycol 3350 (MiraLax)
Osmotic laxative; first-line OTC option for most patients; no aspiration risk; safe for elderly; works in 1–3 days.
Docusate Sodium (Colace)
Stool softener; preferred post-surgically; safe in pregnancy; do NOT combine with mineral oil.
Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
Stimulant laxative; faster onset (6–12 hours orally); may cause cramping; for occasional use.
Senna (Senokot, Ex-Lax)
Plant-derived stimulant laxative; effective for occasional and chronic constipation; available OTC.
Psyllium (Metamucil)
Bulk-forming fiber supplement; best for long-term chronic constipation; requires adequate fluid intake.
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Docusate (Colace)
majorDocusate acts as an emulsifier that dramatically increases systemic absorption of mineral oil, raising the risk of lipoid pneumonia. Do not use together.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
moderateMineral oil impairs vitamin K absorption, potentially altering warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Monitor INR if used together.
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
moderateMineral oil coating blocks absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Take vitamins at least 2 hours before mineral oil.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
moderateMineral oil may reduce digoxin absorption; take digoxin 2+ hours before mineral oil.
Oral contraceptives
minorTheoretical reduction in absorption if taken simultaneously; take 2+ hours before mineral oil.
Mineral oil remains a useful OTC lubricant laxative for occasional constipation in appropriate patients — particularly for short-term relief of hard, dry stools or post-anorectal procedure care when straining must be avoided. It is among the most affordable laxatives available at $6–$20 per bottle, with no prescription required.
Its role has narrowed compared to earlier decades as osmotic laxatives (PEG 3350) have taken prominence for most patients — especially the elderly, where mineral oil's aspiration risk is a meaningful concern. Always use mineral oil at bedtime on an empty stomach, take other medications 2+ hours apart, and limit use to 1 week without medical supervision.
If you're having trouble finding mineral oil at a pharmacy near you, medfinder calls local pharmacies on your behalf to check stock and texts you the results — making it easy to find your medication without wasting time calling around.
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Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Mineral Oil. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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