Castor Oil, Hydrogenated

Synonyms: Castorwax; Castorwax MP 70; Castorwax MP 80; Croduret; Cutina HR; Fancol; ricini oleum hydrogenatum.

Description: Hydrogenated castor oil occurs as a fine, almost white or pale yellow powder or flakes. The PhEur 6.0 describes hydrogenated castor oil as the oil obtained by hydrogenation of virgin castor oil. It consists mainly of the triglyceride of 12-hydroxystearic acid.

Chemical Name: Glyceryl-tri-(12-hydroxystearate)

Extended release agent; stiffening agent; tablet and capsule lubricant.

• Hydrogenated castor oil is a hard wax with a high melting point used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations; .

• In topical formulations, hydrogenated castor oil is used to provide stiffness to creams and emulsions.

• In oral formulations, hydrogenated castor oil is used to prepare sustained-release tablet and capsule preparations; the hydrogenated castor oil may be used as a coat or to form a solid matrix.

• Hydrogenated castor oil is additionally used to lubricate the die walls of tablet presses; and is similarly used as a lubricant in food processing.

• Hydrogenated castor oil is also used in cosmetics

Hydrogenated castor oil is compatible with most natural vegetable and animal waxes.

Hydrogenated castor oil is used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material. Acute oral toxicity studies in animals have shown that hydrogenated castor oil is a relatively nontoxic material. Irritation tests with rabbits show that hydrogenated castor oil causes mild, transient irritation to the eye.

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

Castor oil; vegetable oil, hydrogenated.