Is Syrup of Ipecac Harmful?

Syrup of Ipecac is an emetic, a stomach irritant that causes vomiting when ingested. Syrup of Ipecac is used for emergency removal of a swallowed poison. Like any drug or medication, it can be harmful is misused or abused.

Warning

Syrup of Ipecac is a strong medication that shouldnt be administered without the advice of a doctor or poison control center. Using Syrup of Ipecac following ingestion of a petroleum distillate, acidic, alkaline or other corrosive product causes additional internal damage during vomiting, burning the throat and esophagus a second time.

Overdose

Consuming too much Syrup of Ipecac can cause heart and other muscle damage. An overdose can cause death. Syrup of Ipecac can cause fetal damage and can be passed to nursing babies through breast milk.

Abuse

Syrup of Ipecac is often abused by people who have bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging. Bulimics ingest Syrup of Ipecac to induce vomiting to lose weight. Many drug stores require people purchasing Syrup of Ipecac to present photo identification and sign release forms because of the known number of people who have died abusing the drug.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to Syrup of Ipecac include shortness of breath and oral swelling. Too much vomiting can result in dehydration and lowering of blood pressure.

Effects

Onset of vomiting is within 15 to 30 minutes of ingestion of Syrup of Ipecac. Vomiting can last up to two hours. Syrup of Ipecac can remove one-third of the stomach's contents if given within one hour of poison ingestion.