ipecac syrup

IP-e-kak SIR-up

Commonly used brand name(s)

In Canada

• Jack & Jill Cough Syrup

Available Dosage Forms:

• Syrup

Therapeutic Class: Emetic

Uses For ipecac syrup

Ipecac is used in the emergency treatment of certain kinds of poisoning. It is used to cause vomiting of the poison.

Only the syrup form of ipecac should be used. A bottle of ipecac labeled as being Ipecac Fluidextract or Ipecac Tincture should not be used. These dosage forms are too strong and may cause serious side effects or death. Only ipecac syrup contains the proper strength of ipecac for treating poisonings.

Ordinarily, ipecac syrup should not be used if strychnine, corrosives such as alkalies (lye) and strong acids, or petroleum distillates such as kerosene, gasoline, coal oil, fuel oil, paint thinner, or cleaning fluid have been swallowed. It may cause seizures, additional injury to the throat, or pneumonia.

Ipecac should not be used to cause vomiting as a means of losing weight. If used regularly for this purpose, serious heart problems or even death may occur.

ipecac syrup in amounts of more than 1 ounce is available only with your doctor's prescription. It is available in ½- and 1-ounce bottles without a prescription. However, before using ipecac syrup, call a poison control center, your doctor, or an emergency room for advice.

Before Using ipecac syrup

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ipecac syrup, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ipecac syrup or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Infants and very young children are at a greater risk of choking with their own vomit (or getting vomit in their lungs). Therefore, it is especially important to call a poison control center, your doctor, or an emergency room for instructions before giving ipecac to an infant or young child.

Geriatric

ipecac syrup has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ipecac syrup. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Heart disease—There is an increased risk of heart problems, such as unusually fast heartbeat, if the ipecac is not vomited

Proper Use of ipecac syrup

It is very important that you take ipecac syrup only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed. When too much ipecac is used, it can cause damage to the heart and other muscles, and may even cause death.

Do not give ipecac syrup to unconscious or very drowsy persons, since the vomited material may enter the lungs and cause pneumonia.

To help ipecac syrup cause vomiting of the poison, adults should drink 1 full glass (8 ounces) of water and children should drink ½ to 1 full glass (4 to 8 ounces) of water immediately after taking ipecac syrup. Water may be given first in the case of a small or scared child.

Do not take ipecac syrup with milk, milk products, or with carbonated beverages. Milk or milk products may prevent ipecac syrup from working properly, and carbonated beverages may cause swelling of the stomach.

If vomiting does not occur within 20 to 30 minutes after you have taken the first dose of ipecac syrup, take a second dose. If vomiting does not occur after you have taken the second dose, you must immediately see your doctor or go to an emergency room.

If you have been told to take both ipecac syrup and activated charcoal to treat the poisoning, do not take the activated charcoal until after you have taken ipecac syrup to cause vomiting and vomiting has stopped. This takes usually about 30 minutes.

Dosing

The dose of ipecac syrup will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of ipecac syrup. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (syrup):
  
  • 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.
    
    
    • Children 1 to 12 years of age—The usual dose is 15 mL (1 tablespoonful). One-half to one full glass (120 to 240 mL) of water should be taken right before or right after the dose. The dose may be repeated one time after twenty to thirty minutes if vomiting does not occur.
    
    
    • Children 6 months to 1 year of age—The usual dose is 5 to 10 mL (1 to 2 teaspoonfuls). One-half to one full glass (120 to 240 mL) of water should be taken right before or right after the dose. The dose may be repeated one time after twenty to thirty minutes if vomiting does not occur.
    
    
    • Children up to 6 months of age—Ipecac must be given only under the direction of your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Do not keep a bottle of ipecac that has been opened. Ipecac may evaporate over a period of time. It is best to replace it with a new one.

ipecac syrup Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Symptoms of overdose (may also occur if ipecac is taken regularly)

• Diarrhea


• fast or irregular heartbeat


• nausea or vomiting (continuing more than 30 minutes)


• stomach cramps or pain


• troubled breathing


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• weakness, aching, and stiffness of muscles, especially those of the neck, arms, and legs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: ipecac syrup side effects (in more detail)

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More ipecac syrup resources

• Ipecac syrup Side Effects (in more detail)
• Ipecac syrup Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Ipecac syrup Drug Interactions
• Ipecac syrup Support Group
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