UP TO 45 ML HAS BEEN GIVEN DAILY BY MOUTH, USUALLY IN THE EVENING ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY BEFORE GOING TO BED. LIQUID PARAFFIN IS AN INGREDIENT OF SEVERAL PREPARATIONS THAT CONTAIN OTHER LAXATIVES SUCH AS CASCARA, MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE, OR PHENOLPHTHALEIN. IT HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN AS AN ENEMA IN A USUAL DOSE OF 120 ML.
EXTERNALLY, LIQUID PARAFFIN MAY BE USED AS AN INGREDIENT OF OINTMENT BASES, AS AN EMOLLIENT AND CLEANSER IN CERTAIN SKIN CONDITIONS, AND AS AN OPHTHALMIC LUBRICANT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DRY EYE.