For over 20 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that every household have a bottle of syrup of ipecac. This medicine, technically classified as an emetic, causes vomiting. The idea was that if a child drank or ate a poison, the parent would give the child the ipecac to cause vomiting and quickly get the poison out of the child's system.
The original recommendation advised parents to call their child's doctor or a poison control center before giving the ipecac. Only if instructed would the parent give the child ipecac. This advice now has changed.
Currently, syrup of ipecac is available without a prescription. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's scientific advisors recently recommended a change, making syrup of ipecac a prescription only medication. The FDA is expected to accept the recommendation shortly.
According to Milton Tenenbein, M.D., director of the Manitoba, Canada, poison control center, the use of ipecac has been phased out by poison control centers for a number of reasons. The drug may not be as effective as once thought, not totally emptying the stomach. Another problem is that its effects may linger for a long time, making it difficult for the child to keep down an appropriate antidote.
At its annual 2003 meeting, the AAP changed its long-standing recommendation on the use of syrup of ipecac. Parents should no longer have a bottle at home. If the child eats or drinks a potential poison, the best action is to call the local poison control center immediately. Don't call the child's doctor, who will most likely refer you to the poison control center. Don't call an ambulance or the hospital Ð call poison control first.
There's now a national toll-free number - 1-800-222-1222 - that will automatically send your call to the closest poison control center. This is first number you should call if you are concerned that your child may have ingested a poison.
Pediatrics, 11/03.
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