Side effects have been reported with castor oil. These include nausea, vomiting abdominal (belly) pain and severe diarrhoea.

Castor oil medicines should not be taken in case of obstruction or narrowing of the gut, atony (loss of normal movement in the gut muscle), appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix, a small organ connected to the bowel), inflammatory diseases of the colon (the lower part of the bowel), unexplained abdominal pain and severe dehydration. They should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Further information on the risks associated with castor oil medicines, including the appropriate precautions for their safe use, can be found in the monograph under the tab 'All documents'.