II. Mechanism

  1. Induces Vomiting

III. Indications: Gastric Decontamination in poison ingestion

  1. Home management only (No role in the Emergency Department or Clinic)
    1. Not recommended for routine use
    2. Long anticipated delay to medical care might prompt usage (e.g. rural setting)
    3. Only use if directed by Poison control
  2. Not recommended for routine use in poison ingestion
    1. Does not improve outcome or reduce ER referral
    2. Bond (2003) Pediatrics 112:1061-4 [PubMed]
  3. If administered, use within 60 minutes of ingestion

IV. Advantages

  1. Very effective in Aspirin or Iron Ingestion

V. Contraindications

  1. Anticipation of advanced life support in next hour
  2. Children under age 6 months
  3. Decreased Level of Consciousness
    1. Coma
    2. Seizures
  4. Ingestions with serious aspiration risk
    1. Corrosives (acids or bases)
    2. Hydrocarbons (Petroleum products)
  5. Sharp object ingestion
  6. Third trimester of pregnancy
  7. Protracted Emesis

VI. Complications

  1. Protracted Emesis
  2. Ineffective if over 1 hour post-ingestion
  3. Delays the administration of charcoal

VII. Dose

  1. Background
    1. Follow or precede with 120 to 240 ml water
    2. Do not use in age under 6 months
    3. May repeat dose if no Emesis in 30 minutes
  2. Dose
    1. Adults: 15 to 30 ml Ipecac
    2. Child (<12 years): 15 ml Ipecac
    3. Infant (6-12 months): 5-10 ml Ipecac

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Ontology: Ipecac (C0022046)

Definition (MSH) A syrup made from the dried rhizomes of two different species, CEPHAELIS ipecacuanha and C. acuminata. They contain EMETINE, cephaeline, psychotrine and other ISOQUINOLINES. Ipecac syrup is used widely as an emetic acting both locally on the gastric mucosa and centrally on the chemoreceptor trigger zone.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D007486
SnomedCT 47937008, 317849003, 372591000
English Ipecac, Ipecac (Syrup), ipecac, Ipecac Syrup, Syrup of Ipecac, ipecac preparations (medication), emetics ipecac preparations, ipecac preparations, IPECAC SYRUP [VA Product], Ipecac [Chemical/Ingredient], ipecacuanha syrup, syrup of ipecac, ipecac syrup, IPECAC, ipecacuanha, Ipecac (Drug), Ipecac syrup, Ipecacuanha, Ipecacuanha syrup, Ipecac syrup (substance), Ipecacuanha (product), Ipecacuanha (substance), IPECAC SYRUP
Swedish Ipecac
Czech ipecac
Finnish Oksetusjuuri
Russian IPEKAKUANA, RVOTNYI KOREN', TSEFAELIN, IPEKAKUANY SIROP, ИПЕКАКУАНА, ИПЕКАКУАНЫ СИРОП, РВОТНЫЙ КОРЕНЬ, ЦЕФАЭЛИН
Italian Sciroppo di ipecacuana, Ipecacuana
Polish Ipekakuana-syrop
Japanese 吐根末, トコン, トコン(シロップ), 吐根, トコンシロップ
Korean 토근
Spanish ipecacuana (producto), ipecacuana (sustancia), ipecacuana, jarabe de bejuguillo, jarabe de ipecacuana (sustancia), jarabe de ipecacuana, Ipeca, Jarabe de Ipeca
French Ipécacuana, Ipéca, Sirop d'ipéca
German Ipecacuanha (Sirup), Ipecacuanha, Sirup von Ipecacuanha
Portuguese Ipeca, Xarope de Ipeca