Drug Interaction:
Activated charcoal- will absorb ipecac syrup. If both are used, give the activated charcoal only after vomiting has been produced by the ipecac syrup.
Indication:
Overdose/poisoning
Adverse Reaction:
Diarrhea, drowsiness, coughing or choking in association with emesis, mild CNs depression, GI upset.
Contra-Indications:
Semiconscious or unconscious patients. Do not use if strychine ,corrosives such as alkalis and strong acids or petroleum distillates have been ingested.
Special precautions: absorption- Ipecac syrup can be cardiotoxic. If not vomitted and allowed to be absorbed. Absorption of emetine may occur and cause heart conduction disturbances, atrial fibrillation or fatal myocarditis.
Warnings- Syrup/Fluid ectract- do not confuse ipecac syrup ipecac fluid extract, which is 14 times stronger and has caused deaths.
Call an emergency room- poison control center or physician before using , if vomiting does not occur within 30 to 45 minutes after the second dose, perform gastric lavage. Ipecac syrup abuse may occur- in bulimic and anorexic patients .
It has been implicated as the causative factor of severe cardiomyopathies and even death, in several persons with eating disorders who used it regularly to induce vomiting.
Pregnancy- it is not known whether the drug can cause harm when administerd to a pregnant woman.
Lactation- excercise caurtion if ipecac syrup is used for treatment of a nursing woman.
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Indication: Overdosing/poisoning
Dosage: Adults- 15 to 30ml followed by 3 to 4 glasses of water Children- more than 1 year- to 12 years- 15ml followed by 1 to 2 glasses of water. children- below 1 year- 5 to 10ml then 1/2 to 1 glass of water, under medical supervision.
Overdosage- Symptoms Ipecac is cardiotoxic if absorbed and may cause cardiac conduction, atrial fibrillation, hypotension, . or facial myocarditis.
Treatment
1.Activated charcoal may be given to absorb ipecac syrup
2.Support cardiovascular system by symptomatic treatment.
Patient Information:
Ref - USP PDI Vol II 17th Edition (1997)
1.Pregnancy-
Studies in humans have not been done in either humans or animals.
2 .Children-
Infants and older children are at greater risk of choking with their vomit( or
getting vomit in their lungs ). Therefore it is especially important to call
a poison centre , your doctor or an emergency room for instructions,
before giving ipeca to an infant or young child.
3.Older adults-
This medicine has been tested and has not shown to shown to cause different
side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults..
4. Other medical problems-
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ipecac.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems
especially-
Heart disease- there is an increased risk of herat problems , such as
unusaually fast heart beat, if the ipecac is not vomited
Pharmacology/ Pharmacokinetics:
Pharmacology:
Ipecac produces vomiting by a local irritant on GI mucosa and a central medullary effect. The centre effect is caused by emetine and cephaeline, the two alkaloids. An adequate dose causes vomiting within 30min in about 90% of patients.
Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy:
Not known whether the drug can cause harm when administered to pregnant woman.
Lactation: Not known whether the drug can be used for treatment of a nursing woman.
Manufacturer Details