Castor Oil

Synonyms: EmCon CO; Lipovol CO; oleum ricini; ricini oleum virginale; ricinoleum; ricinus communis; ricinus oil; tangantangan.

Description: Castor oil is a clear, almost colorless or pale yellow-colored viscous oil. It has a slight odor and a taste that is initially bland but afterwards slightly acrid.

Chemical Name: Castor oil

Emollient; oleaginous vehicle; solvent.

• Castor oil is widely used in cosmetics, food products, and pharmaceutical formulations.

• In pharmaceutical formulations, castor oil is most commonly used in topical creams and ointments at concentrations of 5–12.5%.

• However, it is also used in oral tablet and capsule formulations, ophthalmic emulsions, and as a solvent in intramuscular injections.

• Therapeutically, castor oil has been administered orally for its laxative action, but such use is now obsolete.

Castor oil is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents

Castor oil is used in cosmetics and foods and orally, parenterally, and topically in pharmaceutical formulations. It is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material when used as an excipient. Castor oil has been used therapeutically as a laxative and oral administration of large quantities may cause nausea, vomiting, colic, and severe purgation. It should not be given when intestinal obstruction is present.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Castor oil may cause mild irritation to the skin and eyes. Castor oil is flammable when exposed to heat. Spillages are slippery and should be covered with an inert absorbant before collection and disposal.

Castor oil, hydrogenated.