Rapid emesis from high-dose ipecac syrup in adults and children intoxicated with antiemetics or other drugs.

The effect of ipecac syrup as an emetic in adults as well as children who had ingested antiemetics or other drugs was evaluated. Adults or children over five years of age were given 30 ml of ipecac syrup followed by 360 ml of water; children aged one to five years were given 15 ml ipecac syrup followed by 240 ml of water. If emesis was not induced within 30 minutes, a second dose was administered. Of 232 patients studied (199 adults and 33 children), 188 (81%) vomited following the first dose, 34 (15%) required two doses and seven (3%) did not vomit. Of 63 patients who had ingested drugs with antiemetic properties, 51 (81%) vomited following the first dose, nine (14%) required a second dose and three (5%) did not vomit. The time from ipecac administration to the onset of emesis in all 232 patients averaged 24.2 minutes. Ipecac was successful in inducing rapid emesis in both adults and children who had ingested antiemetics or other drugs, probably as a result of its irritating effect on the gastric mucosa.