Castor oil is a liquid, yellow in color, which is used in laxatives and as a lubricant. Since it is orally ingested, there can be the potential for an overdose by taking too much of the ingredient. Castor oil comes from the plant Ricinus communis, otherwise known as the castor oil plant. An overdose comes from products with the oil as an ingredient, not from ingesting the plant itself.
Brands and Formulas
Castor oil can be found labeled as Castor oil, Fleet Flavored Castor Oil, Unisol, Laxopol, Alphamul, and Emulsoil. There may be other products that have castor oil, check with the labeling ingredients to make sure.
Symptoms of an Overdose
Some of the signs of a castor oil overdose include throat tightness, skin rash, nausea, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Rarely, there may be hallucinations.
Treatment
While castor oil is not considered poisonous or extremely toxic, there can be allergic reactions. Calling poison control and emergency medical personnel is a safe bed. While in the ER the patient will have their vital signs monitored and will have tests run. These tests will include blood and urine tests. There may be IV fluids given and medications to treat the symptoms. After monitoring the patient to make sure there are no complications, they will be released. Castor oil usually is not problematic.
Other names for a castor oil overdose include Alphamul overdose, Laxopol overdose, Unisol overdose, and Emulsoil overdose.
Source: A.D.A.M.