What is ipecac, and how does it work?
Syrup of ipecac is a product made from the extract of dried root of ipecacuanha, a Brazilian plant 1. The syrup is an emetic, or stomach irritating agent which causes vomiting. It is used for emergency removal of toxic substances from the gastric system before absorption can take place when poison has been swallowed.
What should I use instead of syrup of ipecac?
Some important tips while taking the homemade emetic or ipecac are:
- By taking ipecac with milk or any other drink except water will reverse the action of ipecac or emetic that means it will not induce vomit or can give other ...
- When you are preparing it at home you should be very careful with the dosage of all ingredients. ...
- After preparing it, store it in a jar and keep it at room temperature. ...
Is Ipecac over the counter medicine?
The most common emetic today is syrup of ipecac, which may be administered orally or by injection. Syrup of ipecac itself is toxic, but the over-the-counter product is diluted so as to not be dangerous unless abused. The main reason that most people need to use an emetic is in the event a child consumes a poisonous substance.
How is Ipecac used in homeopathy?
- Nosebleeds producing bright red blood.
- Dental bleeding.
- Diarrhea with cramping abdominal pain. The stools are green with froth or foam.
- Asthma of sudden onset. The patient has to sit up in order to breathe, but cannot bring up any mucus in spite of violent coughing.
- Hoarseness or loss of voice following a cold.
- Physical or mental exhaustion.
What type of drug is ipecac?
Syrup of ipecac (/ˈɪpɪkæk/), commonly referred to as ipecac, is a drug that was once widely used as an expectorant (in low doses) and a rapid-acting emetic (in higher doses). It is obtained from the dried rhizome and roots of the ipecacuanha plant (Carapichea ipecacuanha), from which it derives its name.
When do you give ipecac?
For treatment of poisoning: Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 15 to 30 milliliters (mL) (1 to 2 tablespoonfuls), followed immediately by one full glass (240 mL) of water. The dose may be repeated one time after twenty to thirty minutes if vomiting does not occur.
Which part of ipecac is used?
ipecac, oripecacuanha, dried rhizome and roots of the tropical New World plant Carapichea ipecacuanha of the madder family (Rubiaceae). It has been used since ancient times especially as a source of a drug to treat poisoning by inducing nausea and vomiting.
What does ipecac mean in medical terms?
Ipecac: A naturally occurring substance with multiple properties including the ability to cause vomiting (emesis). Ipecac is derived from dried roots of a bush called Uragoga ipecacuanha that is native to Brazil. In the past, a sizable proportion of poison exposures in the U.S. were treated with ipecac.
Why is ipecac not used?
Syrup of ipecac is contraindicated in patients who are unable to protect their airway or in whom medical personnel cannot adequately maintain an airway. It should be avoided after the ingestion of caustic substances, such as acids or bases, as vomiting can further increase upper GI and airway injury.
How does ipecac help croup?
Ipecac is taken by mouth to cause vomiting after suspected poisoning. It is also used to treat bronchitis associated with croup in children, a severe kind of diarrhea (amoebic dysentery), and cancer. Ipecac is also used as an expectorant to thin mucous and make coughing easier. Small doses are used to improve appetite.
When was ipecac first used?
Ipecac, the shortened form of ipecacuanha, was first brought to Europe from Brazil in 1649 by Piso, a Dutch physician; the dried root, reached Paris about 1658 and was then taken up by Helvetius, a quack physician, who prepared a secret preparation from it for the treatment of dysentery.
Which drugs that produce vomiting?
Medicines That Can Cause Nausea and VomitingAntibiotics.Antidepressants.Aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), and naproxen (such as Aleve).Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy).Opioid pain medicines.Vitamins and mineral supplements, such as iron.
Is ipecac safe during pregnancy?
Ipecac Pregnancy Warnings Ipecac has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Ipecac is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
What are emetics used for?
emetic, any agent that produces nausea and vomiting. The use of emetics is limited to the treatment of poisoning with certain toxins that have been swallowed.
What is similar to ipecac?
Activated charcoal is another over-the-counter drug that is good to have on hand, although, like ipecac, it isn't useful for every poisoning and should never be administered without the go-ahead from Poison Control or your pediatrician.
What is ipecac used for?
The dried root and rhizome are the source of the medicinally useful products. Ipecac has been widely used in syrup form as a potent and effective emetic. Ipecac powder had been used to induce sweating at the onset of influenza, and small amounts of the extract have been incorporated into cough syrups as expectorants.
How does ipecac work?
Ipecac induces vomiting by an irritant action on the intestinal mucosa and produces reflex vomiting and diarrhea. It also exerts a central emetic action. Emetine, one of its principle active components, primarily has a central action on the chemoreceptor trigger zone. The syrup induces vomiting in 15 to 60 minutes and is most effective when accompanied by fluid intake.
How much ipecac is in a 100ml bottle?
In syrup form, which contains 123 to 157 mg of total alkaloids per 100 mL, ipecac has been used to induce vomiting. The usual dose range for the syrup is 10 to 30 mL, yielding a dose of alkaloids of 12 to 48 mg. Do not confuse the syrup with the fluid extract of ipecac, which is 14 times stronger.
Is ipecac safe to use in the home?
Debate surrounds the use of ipecac. One study found no apparent benefit when syrup of ipecac was used in the home, although there may be a benefit in certain poisonings. This remains to be proven. Ipecac should be administered to an alert, conscious person who has ingested a potentially toxic amount of a poison.
Where is Ipecac native to?
What is Ipecac? Also known as Psychotria ipecacuanha, ipecac is a small, perennial tropical plant that is native to the humid forests of Bolivia and Brazil where large plantations have been established to commercialize the collection of ipecac root.
Is ipecac stronger than emetine?
Do not confuse the syrup with the fluid extract of ipecac, which is 14 times stronger. Cumulative toxicity requires administration of emetine for amebic dysentery in low doses for a short time with intervals of several weeks before further treatment.
Is ipecac an amebicide?
Amebicide. Emetine, a component of ipecac, also has amebicidal components. While ipecac is not effective against amebic dysentery, it may be useful for amebic abscesses and hepatitis. Emetine injected intramuscularly is distributed systemically.
Why do people take German ipecac?
Despite safety concerns, people take German ipecac for digestion problems, kidney disorders, fluid retention, and snakebite. They also take it to cause vomiting and sweating. Women take German ipecac to treat painful menstrual periods.
Is it safe to use German ipecac?
There isn’t enough information to know whether it is safe to apply German ipecac directly to the skin. Special Precautions and Warnings. Pregnancy and breast -feeding: German ipecac might be UNSAFE for anyone to take. If you are pregnant or breast -feeding, concern for you baby’s health gives you extra reasons not to use it.
Is German ipecac safe to take by mouth?
Other conditions. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of German ipecac for these uses. German ipecac might be UNSAFE to take by mouth. It can cause vomiting, breathing problems, paralysis, heart stoppage, and other problems.
What is ipecac syrup used for?
Ipecac syrup is also used to treat bronchitis associated with croup in children, a severe kind of diarrhea (amoebic dysentery ), cancer, and as an expectorant to thin mucous and make coughing easier. Small doses are used to improve appetite.
Can you take ipecac if you are allergic to it?
Do not take ipecac syrup if you are allergic to ipecac syrup or any ingredients contained in this drug. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
Does ipecac syrup interact with other drugs?
Ipecac Syrup has no listed interactions with other drugs. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
What is the mechanism of action of ipecac?
The actions of ipecac are mainly those of major alkaloids, emetine (methylcephaeline) and cephaeline. They both act locally by irritating the gastric mucosa and centrally by stimulating the medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone to induce vomiting.
What is ipecac syrup?
(what is this?) (verify) Syrup of ipecac ( / ˈɪpɪkæk / ), commonly referred to as ipecac, is a drug that was once widely used as an expectorant (in low doses) and a rapid-acting emetic (in higher doses). It is obtained from the dried rhizome and roots of Carapichea ipecacuanha from which it derives its name.
Why was Ipecac discontinued?
It was initially discontinued due to production costs and lack of raw materials. As the ASHP advises: "Ipecac syrup is no longer recommended for routine management of outpatient ingestions of medications or other chemicals.".
Where does Ipecacuanha come from?
It is obtained from the dried rhizome and roots of Carapichea ipecacuanha from which it derives its name. In particular, the rapidly induced forceful vomiting produced by ipecac was considered for many years to be an important front-line treatment for orally ingested poisons.
Is ipecac syrup safe for outpatients?
Having long been replaced (even in the emetic role) by more effective medications, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists now advises that "Ipecac syrup is no longer recommended for routine management of outpatient ingestions of medications or other chemicals.".
Does ipecac remove poison from stomach?
A 2005 review by an HRSA -funded scientific panel concluded that vomiting alone does not reliably remove poisons from the stomach.
Is ipecac a first line treatment?
Many toxicological associations have also issued position papers recommending against its use as a first-line treatment for most ingested poisons, because of a lack of evidence that syrup of ipecac actually helps improve the outcome in cases of poisoning.
Overview
Use
Ipecac was used in cough mixtures as an expectorant or an emetic from the 18th until the early 20th century. For instance, ipecac and opium were used to produce Dover's powder, which was used in syrup form.
In 1965, the FDA approved the sale of up to one ounce of syrup of ipecac without a prescription. At the time it was approved, its use was recommended by the A…
Preparation
The commercial preparation of ipecac consists of 1/14 of an alcoholic extract of the roots and rhizomes of Carapichea ipecacuanha. The rest is composed of glycerin, sugar syrup, and methylparaben. Ipecac root itself is a poison, but in this diluted form, its ability to induce immediate vomiting means that the syrup is seldom fatal.
Mechanism of action
The actions of ipecac are mainly those of major alkaloids, emetine (methylcephaeline) and cephaeline. They both act locally by irritating the gastric mucosa and centrally by stimulating the medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone to induce vomiting.
Discontinuation
Ipecac has been found to have minimal health benefits, and is ultimately ineffective at purging the body of poisonous substances. It was initially discontinued due to production costs and lack of raw materials. As the ASHP advises: "Ipecac syrup is no longer recommended for routine management of outpatient ingestions of medications or other chemicals." Humco and Paddock Laboratories, the only two remaining manufacturers, both stopped production of ipecac syrup in …
See also
• Antiemetic
External links
• AAP policy on Poison Treatment in the Home
• Chemical Poisoning and Syrup of Ipecac