Mallory-Weiss syndrome: an unusual complication of ipecac-induced emesis

A young presented to the emergency department after ingesting multiple drugs. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding developed after emesis was induced with syrup of ipecac. A small Mallory-Weiss tear of the cardioesophageal junction was found at endoscopy. This case is presented to alert physicians to this uncommon complication of ipecac-induced emesis.