Position Statement: Syrup of Ipecac Use in the Home

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Purpose

To define the position of the Minnesota Regional Poison Center (MRPC) on the use of syrup of ipecac in potential poisonings.

Position Statement

Syrup of ipecac should no longer be used routinely as a home treatment strategy. The first action for a caregiver of a child who may have ingested a toxic substance should be to contact the Poison Center.

Syrup of ipecac may have limited utility, particularly in rural areas, under very specific circumstances and only after consultation with a poison center. The MRPC does not recommend purchasing syrup of ipecac. However, keeping existing syrup of ipecac until its expiration date is acceptable.

Rationale

In 2003, the MRPC used syrup of ipecac in only 69 of 31,039 pediatric exposure cases (0.2%). Although syrup of ipecac induces vomiting in a high percentage of patients, its effectiveness in preventing drug absorption has only been demonstrated for a limited number of substances and only when administered promptly after ingestion.1,3

Clinical trials have not demonstrated that syrup of ipecac improves patient outcomes.1,3 Additionally, its use is unpleasant and may cause persistent vomiting, which can delay or complicate other treatments.2 The limited potential benefit in a small number of cases is outweighed by these risks.2,3

References

  1. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. Position statement: ipecac syrup. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1997;35(7):699–709.
  2. AAP Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. Policy Statement: Poison Treatment in the Home. Pediatrics. 2003;112(5):1182–1185.
  3. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. Position Paper: Ipecac Syrup. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2004;42(2):133–143.

If you have questions about a potential poisoning, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.