Ipecac Syrup in Antiemetic Ingestion

The use of ipecac syrup as an emetic where an antiemetic has been ingested is just as effective as ipecac syrup given for the ingestion of other drugs. Though well known for over 300 years, the therapeutic use of ipecac syrup as an emetic has waxed and waned in its acceptability through the years. Moreover, the use of ipecac in the case of antiemetic ingestion has received variable authoritative opinions ranging from contraindicated¹to generally recommended.^2,3 Until recently, it was thought that ipecac, though a fairly effective emetic, was of little value in the case of accidental ingestion of poison because of its slow onset of action.^4,5Also, the traditional stomach pump was felt to be considerably more efficient over pharmacologically induced emesis. However, recent literature shows that more investigation has been afforded this drug, resulting in more effective evaluations. In 1958, Dr. Franklin Arnold et al⁶administered sodium salicylate to a series of dogs.