Once a
staple of the home first aid kit, syrup of ipecac was recommended for use to induce
vomiting if it was feared a child had swallowed a poisonous substance.
Dr. Bryan Karriker, at the Children’s Clinic
of SWLA reports, “ The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends in a new policy
statement that syrup of ipecac no longer be used routinely as a home treatment
strategy.”
Even though it seems sensible to induce vomiting after the ingestion of a potential
poisonous substance, recent research has failed to show benefit for children who were
treated with ipecac.
The AAP made this policy
change since ipecac’s effectiveness was never proven.
In the last 50 years poisoning deaths have dropped dramatically and emergency rooms have
stopped using ipecac and now use the more effective activated charcoal.
Research has shown that ipecac medication has been
improperly administered by parents, and has been abused by people with eating disorders
such as bulimia.
In rare cases, ipecac was
used abusively by parents or caregivers with Munchausen syndrome by proxy (a type of child
abuse).
Abuse of ipecac can lead to heart
problems and even death.
Dr. Karriker stresses,
“The best defense against poisoning is prevention.”
Most poisonings occur when parents are not paying
close attention. While busy cooking dinner, or doing other chores, their child may be
exploring what’s in the closet or under the sink.
Since children like to put things into their mouths and taste them, all dangerous
items should be kept out of their reach.
The
best way to prevent poisonings is to lock up all dangerous items.
Instead
of having ipecac on hand, Dr. Karriker encourages parents to post the universal phone
number for poison control near the phone: 1-800-222-1222.
Parents should call
9-1-1 in
case of convulsions, cessation of breathing or unconsciousness.
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