Ipecac syrup (Oral)

Ipecac is used in emergencies to treat some types of poisoning by making a person vomit the poison.

Only the syrup form of ipecac should be used. Do not use a bottle labeled as Ipecac Fluidextract or Ipecac Tincture. These forms are too strong and can cause serious side effects or death. Only ipecac syrup has the right strength for treating poisonings.

Generally, this medicine should not be used if someone has swallowed strychnine, corrosives like lye and strong acids, or petroleum distillates like kerosene, gasoline, coal oil, fuel oil, paint thinner, or cleaning fluid. It may lead to seizures, more damage to the throat, or pneumonia.

Ipecac should not be used to induce vomiting for weight loss. Using it regularly for this purpose can cause serious heart issues or even death.

This medicine in amounts greater than 1 ounce requires a prescription from your doctor. It is available in ½- and 1-ounce bottles without a prescription. However, before using ipecac syrup, call a poison control center, your doctor, or an emergency room for advice.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks of taking it compared to the benefits it may provide. This decision will be made between you and your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Infants and very young children are at a higher risk of choking on their own vomit (or having vomit enter their lungs). Therefore, it is very important to contact a poison control center, your doctor, or an emergency room for guidance before giving ipecac to an infant or young child.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older individuals compared to younger adults.

Breast Feeding

Research in women suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may impact the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Heart disease—There is a higher risk of heart problems, such as an unusually fast heartbeat, if the ipecac is not vomited.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Symptoms of overdose (may also occur if ipecac is taken regularly)

• Diarrhea
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• nausea or vomiting (continuing more than 30 minutes)
• stomach cramps or pain
• troubled breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness, aching, and stiffness of muscles, especially those of the neck, arms, and legs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada

• Jack & Jill Cough Syrup

It is very important that you take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed. When too much ipecac is used, it can cause damage to the heart and other muscles, and may even cause death.

Do not give this medicine to unconscious or very drowsy persons, since the vomited material may enter the lungs and cause pneumonia.

To help this medicine cause vomiting of the poison, adults should drink 1 full glass (8 ounces) of water and children should drink ½ to 1 full glass (4 to 8 ounces) of water immediately after taking this medicine. Water may be given first in the case of a small or scared child.

Do not take this medicine with milk, milk products, or with carbonated beverages. Milk or milk products may prevent this medicine from working properly, and carbonated beverages may cause swelling of the stomach.

If vomiting does not occur within 20 to 30 minutes after you have taken the first dose of this medicine, take a second dose. If vomiting does not occur after you have taken the second dose, you must immediately see your doctor or go to an emergency room.

If you have been told to take both this medicine and activated charcoal to treat the poisoning, do not take the activated charcoal until after you have taken this medicine to cause vomiting and vomiting has stopped. This takes usually about 30 minutes.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (syrup): For treatment of poisoning: Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 15 to 30 milliliters (mL) (1 to 2 tablespoonfuls), followed immediately by one full glass (240 mL) of water. The dose may be repeated one time after twenty to thirty minutes if vomiting does not occur. Children 1 to 12 years of age—The usual dose is 15 mL (1 tablespoonful). One-half to one full glass (120 to 240 mL) of water should be taken right before or right after the dose. The dose may be repeated one time after twenty to thirty minutes if vomiting does not occur. Children 6 months to 1 year of age—The usual dose is 5 to 10 mL (1 to 2 teaspoonfuls). One-half to one full glass (120 to 240 mL) of water should be taken right before or right after the dose. The dose may be repeated one time after twenty to thirty minutes if vomiting does not occur. Children up to 6 months of age—Ipecac must be given only under the direction of your doctor.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Do not keep a bottle of ipecac that has been opened. Ipecac may evaporate over a period of time. It is best to replace it with a new one.