II. Indications
-
Functional Constipation
- Has been used historically as a Laxative, but has been replaced by newer agents
III. Mechanism
- Castor Oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor bean (Ricinus communis) seeds
- Castor Oil acts as a Stimulant Laxative
IV. Precautions
- Avoid chronic use of Stimulant Laxatives (see adverse effects below)
V. Pharmacokinetics
- Not absorbed
VI. Dosing: Constipation
- Adult: Take 15 to 60 ml/day orally as needed for Constipation
- Historically, 30 to 60 ml was used 16 hours prior to Colonoscopy
VII. Pharmacokinetics
- Onset: 2 to 6 hours
VIII. Adverse Effects
- Unpalatable taste
- Better tolerated in emulsion form and when chilled
- May combine with juice or carbonated drinks to mask the taste
IX. Adverse Effects: Long-term use (Laxative abuse)
- See Stimulant Laxative
- Avoid prolonged use (habit forming)!
- Colonic denervation and atony (Cathartic colon)
- Decreased motility of right colon with secondary worsening Constipation
- Associated with Anthraquinone Laxatives
- Results from myenteric plexus injury
-
Electrolyte and nutritional disturbance
- Hypokalemia
- Sodium overload
- Protein-losing Enteropathy
-
Melanosis coli
- Benign darkening of colonic mucosa
- Macrophage deposition in lamina propria
X. Safety
- Pregnancy Category X
- Unknown safety in Lactation
XI. References
- Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia
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castor oil (on 3/1/2023 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
CASTOR OIL | Generic OTC | $0.02 per ml |
Ontology: Castor Oil (C0007343)
Definition (NCI) | A vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of the castor bean, Ricinus communis. Castor oil has many industrial applications and is used medicinally as a laxative and as an excipient. |
Definition (MSH) | Oil obtained from seeds of Ricinus communis that is used as a cathartic and as a plasticizer. |
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Lipid (T119) |
MSH | D002368 |
SnomedCT | 354057006, 421622007, 34239008, 317517005 |
English | Castor Oil, Oil, Castor, Castor oil [eye], Castor oil [laxative], CASTOR OIL MISC. OIL, CASTOR OIL @ @ OIL, CASTOR OIL OIL, castor oil (medication), laxatives castor oil, Castor Oil [Chemical/Ingredient], CASTOR OIL [VA Product], CASTOR OIL, castor, ricini oleum, oleum ricini, castor eyes oil, castor oil laxative, CASTOR OIL MISCELL OIL (ML), CASTOR OIL@@MISCELL@OIL (ML), Castor Oil Oil, castor oil, Castor oil (product), Castor oil, Oleum ricini, Castor oil liquid, Castor oil (substance), Castor oil liquid (product), Castor oil liquid (substance) |
Swedish | Ricinolja |
Czech | ricinový olej |
Finnish | Risiiniöljy |
Russian | KASTOROVOE MASLO, MASLO KASTOROVOE, КАСТОРОВОЕ МАСЛО, МАСЛО КАСТОРОВОЕ |
Polish | Olej rycynowy, Olej rącznikowy |
Spanish | aceite de ricino (producto), aceite de castor (producto), aceite de castor (sustancia), aceite de castor, aceite de ricino (sustancia), aceite de ricino, óleo de ricino, Aceite de Ricino |
French | Huile de ricin |
Portuguese | Óleo de Mamona, Óleo de Rícino |
German | Rizinusöl |
Italian | Olio di ricino |