Two medicines, side by side
Castor oil vs lactulose
Castor oil and lactulose are both labeled for constipation. Pharmacies paid $0.0193 per mL (Castor oil) and $8.22 per packet (Lactulose 10 g packet) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the castor oil FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 15, 2026); the lactulose FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 28, 2026).
Highlights of the castor oil record
Castor oil · label of June 15, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsfor relief of occasional constipation (irregularity). Generally produces bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0193 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the lactulose record
Lactulose (Enulose) · label of January 28, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the treatment of constipation. In patients with a history of chronic constipation, lactulose solution therapy increases the number of bowel movements per day and the number of days on which bowel movements occur.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 25, 1976
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $8.22 per packet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Castor oil label of June 15, 2026, Lactulose label of January 28, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do castor oil and lactulose differ on the record?
Generics: castor oil none approved; lactulose since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Castor oil | Lactulose | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Constipation | Constipation |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Osmotic Laxative |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | March 25, 1976 |
| First generic approved | none | July 26, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0193 per mL (Castor oil) | $8.22 per packet (Lactulose 10 g packet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.3% | +10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 189 | 38,214 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to castor oil
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions