Ipecac toxicity: Difference between revisions

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===Acute===
===Acute===
*[[Nausea/vomiting]]
*[[Nausea/vomiting]]
*Gastritis
*[[Gastritis]]
===Chronic===
===Chronic===
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Dehydration]]
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==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
 
{{Nausea and vomiting DDX}}


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
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*No specific antidote exists
*No specific antidote exists
*Supportive care is mainstay of treatment
*Supportive care is mainstay of treatment
**IV fluids
**[[IV fluids]]
**Electrolyte repletion
**[[Electrolyte repletion]]


==Disposition==
==Disposition==

Latest revision as of 21:46, 29 September 2019

Background

  • Rapidly acting emetic agent
  • Derived from the ipecacuanha plant
  • Often abused by adults with eating disorders
  • Occasionally seen used in Munchausen by proxy

Mechanism of Action

  • Vomiting
    • Immediate: direct irritation of gastric mucosa
    • Delayed: absorption, stimulation of chemoreceptor trigger zone
  • Inhibition of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle

Toxic Dose

  • Acute
    • As little as 10 mL of the potent fluid extract can cause death
    • 120 mL of syrup of ipecac unlikely to cause severe toxicity
  • Chronic
    • Slow elimination of emetine causes cumulative toxicity
    • Daily ingestion of 90-120 mL of syrup for several months can cause cardiomyopathy and death

Clinical Features

Acute

Chronic

Differential Diagnosis

Nausea and vomiting

Critical

Emergent

Nonemergent

Evaluation

  • Emetine can be detected in urine for several weeks
  • Electrolytes, CPK, LDH
  • ECG

Management

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References