Is Ipecac really that dangerous?!
Question: I bought some to keep around the house in case my niece gets into something (my mom has a lot of cleaning supplies) but I've heard it can be fatal. Would just one dose be enough to harm you or would you have to have eccessive use?
Answers: I bought some to keep around the house in case my niece gets into something (my mom has a lot of cleaning supplies) but I've heard it can be fatal. Would just one dose be enough to harm you or would you have to have eccessive use?
epicac is a good drug to use in the right circumstances. if it is used repeatedly (if someone was using it in the manner of bulimia) it can be dangerous the effects of this drug is to induce vomiting if a person vomits repeatedly they become dehydrated. excessive vomiting causes electrolyte imbalances and damage to the esophagus and teeth. you also need to be care full using it in accidental poisoning situations because some things ingested by children such as cleaning supplies are caustic they have already burned tissues when consumed if you induce vomiting it will cause repeated burning when it is coming back up. it is best to contact a poison control unit befor doing anything.
No, one dose would not be harmful. Excessive amounts I'm sure would be harmful, but that's true with anything.
I accidently gave my 4yr old son too much medicine once, and when I called the doctor that's what he told me to give him.
Ipecac isn't recommended anymore; a person may choke on their own vomit and die (sorry). Always call poison control, it's 1-800-222-1222, and if the person is unconscious or not breathing, call 911.
In general ipecac is not harmful, however, it depends on the substance the child swallowed. Say that the child got into cleaning supplies, if the substance is caustic it might do more harm to the esophagus to have the child vomit it back up. It's always best to call poison control or a doctor for this type of situation.
Ipecac is a mixed blessing. Sometimes it's a good idea to use, sometimes it's not. I recommend keeping activated charcoal on hand, it's another means of deactivating a lot of medications and poisons. But ipecac and activated charcoal interact with each other. Before using either, contact poison control first.