Paraffin

Synonyms: Hard wax; paraffinum durum; paraffinum solidum; paraffin wax.

Description: Paraffin is an odorless and tasteless, translucent, colorless, or white solid. It feels slightly greasy to the touch and may show a brittle fracture. Microscopically, it is a mixture of bundles of microcrystals. Paraffin burns with a luminous, sooty flame. When melted, paraffin is essentially without fluorescence in daylight; a slight odor may be apparent.

Chemical Name: Paraffin

Ointment base; stiffening agent.

• Paraffin is mainly used in topical pharmaceutical formulations as a component of creams and ointments.

• In ointments, it may be used to increase the melting point of a formulation or to add stiffness.

• Paraffin is additionally used as a coating agent for capsules and tablets, and is used in some food applications.

• Paraffin coatings can also be used to affect the release of drug from ion-exchange resin beads

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Paraffin is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material when used in topical ointments and as a coating agent for tablets and capsules. However, granulomatous reactions (paraffinomas) may occur following injection of paraffin into tissue for cosmetic purposes or to relieve pain. Long-term inhalation of aerosolized paraffin may lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Ingestion of a substantial amount of white soft paraffin has led to intestinal obstruction in one instance

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and
quantity of material handled.

Light mineral oil; microcrystalline wax; petrolatum; synthetic paraffin.