Ipecac toxicity: Difference between revisions

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==Mechanism of Action==
==Mechanism of Action==
*Vomiting
*[[Vomiting]]
**Immediate: direct irritation of gastric mucosa
**Immediate: direct irritation of gastric mucosa
**Delayed: absorption, stimulation of chemoreceptor trigger zone
**Delayed: absorption, stimulation of chemoreceptor trigger zone
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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Acute
===Acute===
**Nausea, vomiting, gastritis, Mallory-Weiss tears, and gastric rupture (rare)
*[[Nausea/vomiting]]
*Chronic
**Gastritis
**Dehydration, hypokalemia, diarrhea, cardiomyopathy, myopathy (weakness, hyporeflexia)
[[Mallory-Weiss]] tears
*Gastric rupture (rare)
===Chronic===
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Diarrhea]]
*[[Hypokalemia
*[[Cardiomyopathy
*Myopathy ([[weakness]]], hyporeflexia)


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*Emetine can be detected in urine for several weeks
*Emetine can be detected in urine for several weeks
*Electrolytes, BUN/Cr, CPK, LDH, ECG
*Electrolytes, BUN/Cr, CPK, LDH
*[[ECG]]


==Management==
==Management==

Revision as of 01:43, 11 December 2016

Background

  • Rapidly acting emetic agent
  • Derived from the ipecacuanha plant
  • Often abused by adults with eating disorders
  • Occasionally seen used in Munchausen by proxy

Mechanism of Action

  • Vomiting
    • Immediate: direct irritation of gastric mucosa
    • Delayed: absorption, stimulation of chemoreceptor trigger zone
  • Inhibition of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle

Toxic Dose

  • Acute
    • As little as 10 mL of the potent fluid extract can cause death
    • 120 mL of syrup of ipecac unlikely to cause severe toxicity
  • Chronic
    • Slow elimination of emetine causes cumulative toxicity
    • Daily ingestion of 90-120 mL of syrup for several months can cause cardiomyopathy and death

Clinical Features

Acute

Mallory-Weiss tears

  • Gastric rupture (rare)

Chronic

Evaluation

  • Emetine can be detected in urine for several weeks
  • Electrolytes, BUN/Cr, CPK, LDH
  • ECG

Management

  • Administer activated charcoal
  • IV fluids as needed
  • Potassium repletion as needed
  • Diuretics/pressors for cardiomyopathy and CHF
  • No specific antidote

References

  • Olson, K. Poisoning and Drug Overdose Clinical Manual. 2004