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Castor Oil

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Castor Oil, Oleum ricini

  • See Also
  1. Stimulant Laxative
  2. Senna
  3. Bisacodyl
  4. Cascara
  5. Laxative
  6. Constipation
  7. Functional Constipation
  8. Pediatric Constipation
  • Indications
  1. Functional Constipation
    1. Has been used historically as a Laxative, but has been replaced by newer agents
  • Mechanism
  1. Castor Oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor bean (Ricinus communis) seeds
  2. Castor Oil acts as a Stimulant Laxative
  • Precautions
  1. Avoid chronic use of Stimulant Laxatives (see adverse effects below)
  • Pharmacokinetics
  1. Not absorbed
  1. Adult: Take 15 to 60 ml/day orally as needed for Constipation
    1. Historically, 30 to 60 ml was used 16 hours prior to Colonoscopy
  • Pharmacokinetics
  1. Onset: 2 to 6 hours
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Unpalatable taste
    1. Better tolerated in emulsion form and when chilled
    2. May combine with juice or carbonated drinks to mask the taste
  • Adverse Effects
  • Long-term use (Laxative abuse)
  1. See Stimulant Laxative
  2. Avoid prolonged use (habit forming)!
  3. Colonic denervation and atony (Cathartic colon)
    1. Decreased motility of right colon with secondary worsening Constipation
    2. Associated with Anthraquinone Laxatives
    3. Results from myenteric plexus injury
  4. Electrolyte and nutritional disturbance
    1. Hypokalemia
    2. Sodium overload
    3. Protein-losing Enteropathy
  5. Melanosis coli
    1. Benign darkening of colonic mucosa
    2. Macrophage deposition in lamina propria
  • Safety
  1. Pregnancy Category X
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation
  • References
  1. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia