Ipecac syrup for poisonings at home: availability, compliance, and response monitored by telephone

Ipecac syrup administration at home, following advice by a poison center, was evaluated with respect to the availability of ipecac syrup, length of storage time, compliance with recommended procedures for administration, and time for emetic response. In a three-month period, staff pharmacists of the center completed a survey from when they advised 60 callers to administer ipecac syrup at home. Two follow-up phone calls were made to collect additional data. Fifty-five callers provided adequate data for analysis. Ipecac syrup was available at home for 36%, from a pharmacy for 53%, and from a neighbor for 11% of the callers. Compliances with the recommended doses of ipecac syrup and fluids (+/- S.D.) were 92 +/- 20% and 71 +/- 29%, respectively. Following one dose of ipecac syrup, 86% vomited in 19 +/- 8 minutes; after a second dose, 13% responded in 34 +/- 21 minutes after the first dose. By comparison with those who had ipecac syrup at home, there was an insignificant delay in administration when it was obtained from a neighbor; a significant delay (p less than 0.005) occurred when it was obtained by a pharmacy. The onset of emesis did not correlate with the length of time the ipecac syrup had been stored at home. The findings support the use of ipecac syrup at home based on ready availability, adequate compliance, and rapid emetic response.