Ipecac toxicity: Difference between revisions

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*Occasionally seen used in Munchausen by proxy
*Occasionally seen used in Munchausen by proxy


==Mechanism of Action==
===Mechanism of Action===
*[[Vomiting]]
*[[Vomiting]]
**Immediate: direct irritation of gastric mucosa
**Immediate: direct irritation of gastric mucosa
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*Inhibition of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle
*Inhibition of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle


==Toxic Dose==
===Toxic Dose===
*Acute
*Acute
**As little as 10 mL of the potent fluid extract can cause death
**As little as 10 mL of the potent fluid extract can cause death
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===Acute===
===Acute===
*[[Nausea/vomiting]]
*[[Nausea/vomiting]]
**Gastritis
*[[Gastritis]]
[[Mallory-Weiss]] tears
*Gastric rupture (rare)
===Chronic===
===Chronic===
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Diarrhea]]
*[[Diarrhea]]
*[[Hypokalemia
*[[Hypokalemia]]
*[[Cardiomyopathy
*[[Cardiomyopathy]]
*Myopathy ([[weakness]]], hyporeflexia)
*Myopathy ([[weakness]], hyporeflexia)
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Nausea and vomiting DDX}}


==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
*Electrolytes, CPK, LDH
*[[ECG]]
*[[ECG]]


==Management==
==Management==
*Administer activated charcoal
*No specific antidote exists
*IV fluids as needed
*Supportive care is mainstay of treatment
*Potassium repletion as needed
**[[IV fluids]]
*Diuretics/pressors for cardiomyopathy and CHF
**[[Electrolyte repletion]]
*No specific antidote
 
==Disposition==
 
 
==See Also==
 
 
==External Links==
 


==References==
==References==
*Olson, K. Poisoning and Drug Overdose Clinical Manual. 2004
<references/>
 
[[Category:Toxicology]]
[[Category:GI]]

Latest revision as of 21:46, 29 September 2019

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

Chronic

Differential Diagnosis

Nausea and vomiting

Critical

Emergent

Nonemergent

Evaluation

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

Management

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References