Nonemetic effects of ipecac syrup

The aftereffects of home-induced emesis with ipecac syrup were determined by telephone interviews of callers to a poison center. During the 12-week study, the presence of any symptoms at follow-up in 146 patients was compared with findings in 99 callers to the poison center who did not receive ipecac. Within four hours after ipecac-induced emesis, 33.6% had no symptoms and 17.1% experienced protracted emesis. In the ipecac-treated group the incidences of one formed stool (4.1%) and lethargy during a typical sleeping time (42.5%) were not significantly different from the incidences in patients not receiving ipecac syrup. The incidences of diarrhea (13.0%) and atypical lethargy (11.6%) were higher (P less than .025 and P less than .05, respectively) after ipecac-induced emesis than in patients not receiving ipecac syrup. There was no significant statistical association between the propensity of the ingested toxin to produce diarrhea or lethargy and the occurrence of diarrhea or atypical lethargy. Because ipecac-induced emesis can produce diarrhea and lethargy, these side effects should be noted and differentiated from normal conditions when ipecac syrup is administered.