Syrup of ipecac isn't used much anymore

March 1998

We used to tell parents to keep a bottle of ipecac on hand...but actually syrup of ipecac isn't used much anymore.

In the last 10 years, the use of ipecac has fallen from 15% of poisonings to less than 2% today.

One problem is that ipecac is not very reliable...the amount of poison removed is highly variable and diminishes with time.

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Table of Contents

Homocysteine may be an important risk factor for heart disease and stroke
Cardiology Whether patients on warfarin can take acetaminophen
Cardiology Patients can still take erythromycin to prevent bacterial endocarditis
Neurology & Pain Stronger warning about potential hepatotoxicity in patients taking Duract (bromfenac)
Obesity & Weight Loss New obesity drug, Meridia
Singulair (montelukast) for asthma
Serevent (salmeterol), is now approved for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Gastroenterology PrevPac for H. pylori
Neurology & Pain Amerge (naratriptan) for migraines
Neurology & Pain Some Parkinson's patients will be taking Tasmar (tolcapone)
Women's Health New strength of Prempro
Women's Health Topical testosterone for libido
Venastat, a new herbal product for leg swelling due to varicose veins
Pediatrics Childhood vaccine recommendations
Pediatrics Syrup of ipecac isn't used much anymore
Diabetes Not to prescribe metformin (Glucophage) to patients with congestive heart failure
Diabetes Diabetics on calcium blockers suffer more Mis