Ipecac Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Emesis Induction

15 to 30 mL of syrup of ipecac, once. Approximately 240 mL of water should be administered after the ipecac.

If emesis does not occur within 30 minutes, and emesis is still deemed to be of value, a second 15 to 30 mL dose may be administered with another 240 mL of water. No more than 2 doses (60 mL) of ipecac should be given. Gastric lavage should be performed if emesis does not occur after the second dose.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Emesis Induction

<6 months: Use is not recommended.

6 to 12 months: 5 to 10 mL orally once. 120 to 240 mL of water should be given before or after the ipecac. Infants should be positioned carefully to avoid aspiration of vomitus.

1 to 12 years: 15 mL orally once. 240 mL of water should be given before or after the ipecac.

>12 years: 15 to 30 mL orally once. 240 mL of water should be given before or after the ipecac.

If emesis does not occur within 30 minutes, and emesis is still deemed to be of value, a second dose may be administered with more water. No more than 2 doses ipecac should be given. Gastric lavage should be performed if emesis does not occur after the second dose.

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend routine use of ipecac for home treatment of poisonous ingestions.

Renal Dose Adjustments

The recommended dosage has not been reduced for this patient with renal dysfunction. Emetine, a major component of ipecac, may be slowly eliminated by the kidney, however, toxicity is unlikely when ipecac is given only once or twice.

Liver Dose Adjustments

The recommended dosage has not been reduced for this patient with hepatic dysfunction. Emetine, a major component of ipecac, may be distributed to the liver, however, toxicity is unlikely when ipecac is given only once or twice.

Precautions

If outside a medical facility, the victim's caregiver should contact a poison control center, physician, or emergency department before administering ipecac and if emesis does not occur within 20 minutes after the second dose.

Ipecac should be used under the guidance and advice of a certified poison information center or qualified health care professional because indications for emesis vary considerably from substance to substance. It is unlikely that more than 40% of an ingestant will be removed, even when a good volume of emesis is obtained.

Contraindicated in patients with rapidly declining consciousness or who are unconscious, severely intoxicated, in shock, having seizures, or who lack gag reflexes.

Do not use after ingestion of caustic agents, nontoxic substances, drugs such as CNS depressants that may alter the gag reflex, or drugs that may potentiate seizures. Ipecac is relatively contraindicated when an interval between hydrocarbon ingestion and ipecac administration is greater than 60 minutes or when a medical condition such as uncontrolled hypertension, late stage pregnancy, or severe respiratory or cardiac disease is aggravated by emesis.

Charcoal may adsorb ipecac and prevent emesis. If the products are used together, emesis should be induced with ipecac and completed before administering activated charcoal. Do not use in unconscious/semiconscious patients.

Do not give milk or carbonated beverages with ipecac.

Dialysis

Data not available

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer