The effect of milk on ipecac-induced emesis

A prospective study at two regional poison centers was undertaken in 500 children under six years of age (mean age 2.3 y) to resolve the question of whether milk has an effect on ipecac-induced emesis. When home administration of ipecac was recommended, parents were asked to select either milk or clear fluids. The mean volume of fluid +/- standard deviation administered was 159 +/- 72 mL in the milk group and 161 +/- 77 mL in the clear fluid group (p = 0.79). There was no difference in the onset of vomiting (23.4 +/- 18.5 vs. 23.3 +/- 12.9 min, p = 0.92), number of vomiting episodes (3.5 +/- 1.9 vs. 3.4 +/- 1.8, p = 0.65), or duration of vomiting (45 +/- 73 vs. 39 +/- 54 min, p = 0.31) for the milk group compared with the clear fluid group. Side effects including lethargy and diarrhea occurred with similar frequency in both groups. The substance ingested had no effect on onset of vomiting, vomiting duration or number of vomiting episodes. These findings again demonstrate that milk does not interfere with ipecac-induced emesis.