Herb & supplement monograph

Ipecac Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated July 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Ipecac interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Ipecac is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Ipecac is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Ipecac

2 medications have a known interaction with Ipecac, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

2 major interactions. These combinations can be clinically significant — best avoided, or used only with close professional supervision. Always check with your pharmacist before combining them with Ipecac.

2,830 drugs
Charcoal (otc Drug)Charcocaps› Charcoal (prescription Drug)Actidose-Aqua Advance, Carbomix, Charcodote› "phentolamineOraVerse, Rogitine, Ryzumvi› 6-mercaptopurinePurinethol› Ado-trastuzumab EmtansineKadcyla› AbacavirZiagen› Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq› Abacavir, LamivudineEpzicom› AbaloparatideTymlos› AbametapirXeglyze› AbarelixPlenaxis› AbciximabReoPro› AbemaciclibVerzenio› Abiraterone› Abiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga› AbrocitinibCibinqo› AcalabrutinibCalquence› AcamprosateCampral› AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose› AcebutololRhotral, Sectral› AcenocoumarolSintrom› AcepromazineAtravet› AcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength› Acetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn› Acetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine› Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu› Acetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine›
Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Ipecac combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
The big picture

The kinds of drugs Ipecac affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Ipecac is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Ipecac interacts with
Activated Charcoal
Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal adsorbs and inactivates syrup of ipecac; avoid co-administration.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Monograph

Ipecac: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Ipecac comes from the root of a South American plant and was once widely used as syrup of ipecac to make people vomit after swallowing poison. Medical groups no longer recommend it for poisoning because it is not proven helpful and can be dangerous, and misuse has caused serious harm. There is no safe, established home use for ipecac today, and you should call Poison Control rather than reach for it.

Scientific name
Carapichea ipecacuanha
Family
Rubiaceae
Part used
Dried root and rhizome
Common forms
Syrup (syrup of ipecac), tincture, liquid extract, homeopathic preparations
People commonly use it for
  • Inducing vomiting after poisoning (historical)
  • Cough and chest congestion (expectorant)
  • Nausea and vomiting (homeopathic use)
  • Amebic dysentery (historical)

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallBest avoided

No longer recommended for home or routine use due to risk of serious harm and lack of proven benefit.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally; ipecac is a potential uterine stimulant.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Ipecac is made from the dried root of a small shrub called Carapichea ipecacuanha, which grows in the rainforests of Brazil and other parts of Central and South America. The root contains strong natural chemicals that irritate the stomach and the part of the brain that triggers vomiting.

For many years, a watered-down product called syrup of ipecac was kept in home medicine cabinets to make children or adults throw up after they swallowed something poisonous. Ipecac was also used in the past to help loosen mucus in the chest and to treat certain infections like amebic dysentery.

Today, the picture is very different. Major medical and poison-control organizations no longer recommend syrup of ipecac for poisoning, and it is hard to find. Most current use is in very dilute homeopathic products. This monograph is mainly for background and safety information, not to encourage use.

How it works

The two main active compounds in ipecac root are emetine and cephaeline. These chemicals work in two ways to cause vomiting: they irritate the lining of the stomach, and they stimulate a part of the brain that triggers the vomiting reflex.

The same compounds can also be toxic to the body's cells. In large amounts or with repeated use, emetine can damage the heart muscle and other tissues. This is one reason ipecac can be dangerous, especially when misused.

Much of what is known about these effects comes from older studies and from cases of poisoning or misuse rather than from modern, high-quality clinical trials.

Effectiveness

Does Ipecac work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 1 use evaluated
1 Leans ineffective
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.
Possibly Ineffective Poisoning
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Historically, ipecac syrup was commonly used to manage poisoning. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Clinical Toxicologists, and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists state that ipecac should not be used routinely for poisoning due to a lack of evidence of improved outcomes over available alternatives and an increased risk for adverse consequences.

Sources Ref 15 Ref 56380 Ref 56387 Ref 56403 Ref 56415 Ref 11349 Ref 12394 Ref 56389

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Ipecac is not considered safe for routine or home use. Medical and poison-control groups have moved away from recommending it. It should never be used unless directed by a poison-control center or a healthcare professional, and even then this is rare today.

Ipecac can be especially dangerous in certain situations. It should not be used if a person has swallowed a caustic substance (like a strong acid or drain cleaner) or petroleum products (like gasoline), is very drowsy or unconscious, is having seizures, or has trouble swallowing, because vomiting can cause severe lung or throat injury.

People with heart disease are at higher risk of harm. Ipecac has been seriously misused by some people with eating disorders to make themselves vomit; long-term misuse has caused fatal heart damage.

Pregnancy: Avoid. Forceful vomiting and the toxic effects of ipecac make it unsafe.

Breastfeeding: Avoid. There is not enough safety information to consider it safe.

Keep all ipecac products out of the reach of children. Always call Poison Control (in the U.S., 1-800-222-1222) for poisoning emergencies.

Side effects

Even when used as directed, ipecac commonly causes repeated vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Vomiting that lasts too long can lead to dehydration.

More serious problems can occur, including breathing in stomach contents (which can cause a dangerous lung injury called aspiration pneumonia), low blood pressure, and an irregular or weakened heartbeat.

With repeated or high-dose use—such as in eating-disorder misuse—the emetine in ipecac can build up and cause heart muscle damage (cardiomyopathy) and muscle weakness, which can be permanent or fatal. Any chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, weakness, or trouble breathing after taking ipecac is a medical emergency.

Ipecac: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Ipecac from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Orally, ipecac syrup can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, GI irritation, dizziness, hypotension, dyspnea, and tachycardia. Rarely, it can also cause intracerebral hemorrhage, pneumomediastinum, retropneumoperitoneum, esophageal bleeding. Chronic use is associated with myopathies and death. Overdose is associated with erosion of GI tract mucous membranes, cardiac arrhythmias, disorders of respiratory function, convulsions, shock, and coma.

Topically, emetine is a skin irritant.

When inhaled, ipecac powder is a respiratory irritant and can result in allergic symptoms such as rhinitis, as well as aspiration pneumonitis.

Intravenously, emetine may cause inflammation of the muscle tissue at the injection site with chronic administration. In total doses over 1 gram, it can lead to gastrointestinal and nervous system symptoms, hematuria and circulatory collapse.

  1. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
  5. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  6. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  7. Silber, T. J. Ipecac syrup abuse, morbidity, and mortality: isn't it time to repeal its over-the-counter status? J Adolesc.Health 2005;37(3):256-260.
  8. Brotman, M. C., Forbath, N., Garfinkel, P. E., and Humphrey, J. G. Myopathy due to ipecac syrup poisoning in a patient with anorexia nervosa. Can.Med.Assoc.J. 9-1-1981;125(5):453-454.
  9. Timberlake, G. A. Ipecac as a cause of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome. South.Med.J. 1984;77(6):804-805.
  10. Wolowodiuk, O. J., McMicken, D. B., and O'Brien, P. Pneumomediastinum and retropneumoperitoneum: an unusual complication of syrup-of-ipecac-induced emesis. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1984;13(12):1148-1151.
  11. Klein-Schwartz, W., Gorman, R. L., Oderda, G. M., Wedin, G. P., and Saggar, D. Ipecac use in the elderly: the unanswered question. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1984;13(12):1152-1154.
  12. Andersen, J. M., Keljo, D. J., and Argyle, J. C. Secretory diarrhea caused by ipecac poisoning. J.Pediatr.Gastroenterol.Nutr. 1997;24(5):612-615.
  13. Rashid, N. Medically unexplained myopathy due to ipecac abuse. Psychosomatics 2006;47(2):167-169.
  14. Kuntzer, T., Bogousslavsky, J., Deruaz, J. P., Janzer, R., and Regli, F. Reversible emetine-induced myopathy with ECG abnormalities: a toxic myopathy. J Neurol. 1989;236(4):246-248.
  15. Mateer, J. E., Farrell, B. J., Chou, S. S., and Gutmann, L. Reversible ipecac myopathy. Arch.Neurol. 1985;42(2):188-190.
  16. Moldawsky, R. J. Myopathy and ipecac abuse in a bulimic patient. Psychosomatics 1985;26(5):448-449.
  17. Palmer, E. P. and Guay, A. T. Reversible myopathy secondary to abuse of ipecac in patients with major eating disorders. N.Engl.J.Med. 12-5-1985;313(23):1457-1459.
  18. Schiff, R. J., Wurzel, C. L., Brunson, S. C., Kasloff, I., Nussbaum, M. P., and Frank, S. D. Death due to chronic syrup of ipecac use in a patient with bulimia. Pediatrics 1986;78(3):412-416.
  19. Rosenberg, N. L. and Ringel, S. P. Myopathy from surreptitious ipecac ingestion. West J.Med. 1986;145(3):386-388.
  20. Friedman, A. G., Seime, R. J., Roberts, T., and Fremouw, W. J. Ipecac abuse: a serious complication in bulimia. Gen.Hosp.Psychiatry 1987;9(3):225-228.
  21. Halbig, L., Gutmann, L., Goebel, H. H., Brick, J. F., and Schochet, S. Ultrastructural pathology in emetine-induced myopathy. Acta Neuropathol. 1988;75(6):577-582.
  22. Bennett, H. S., Spiro, A. J., Pollack, M. A., and Zucker, P. Ipecac-induced myopathy simulating dermatomyositis. Neurology 1982;32(1):91-94.
  23. Friedman, E. J. Death from ipecac intoxication in a patient with anorexia nervosa. Am.J.Psychiatry 1984;141(5):702-703.
  24. Thyagarajan, D., Day, B. J., Wodak, J., Gilligan, B., and Dennett, X. Emetine myopathy in a patient with an eating disorder. Med J Aust. 12-6-1993;159(11-12):757-760.
  25. Lacomis, D. Case of the month. June 1996--anorexia nervosa. Brain Pathol. 1996;6(4):535-536.
  26. Ho, P. C., Dweik, R., and Cohen, M. C. Rapidly reversible cardiomyopathy associated with chronic ipecac ingestion. Clin.Cardiol. 1998;21(10):780-783.
  27. Albertson, T. E., Derlet, R. W., Foulke, G. E., Minguillon, M. C., and Tharratt, S. R. Superiority of activated charcoal alone compared with ipecac and activated charcoal in the treatment of acute toxic ingestions. Ann.Emerg.Med 1989;18(1):56-59.
  28. Luczynska, C. M., Marshall, P. E., Scarisbrick, D. A., and Topping, M. D. Occupational allergy due to inhalation of ipecacuanha dust. Clin.Allergy 1984;14(2):169-175.
Reports by condition
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) Immunologic

When inhaled, ipecac powder has resulted in occupational allergy symptoms, such as rhinitis.

  1. Luczynska, C. M., Marshall, P. E., Scarisbrick, D. A., and Topping, M. D. Occupational allergy due to inhalation of ipecacuanha dust. Clin.Allergy 1984;14(2):169-175.
Arrhythmia Cardiovascular

Orally, ipecac can cause hypotension, dyspnea, and tachycardia. Chronic use is associated with cardiac myopathy and death related to heart failure. Overdose is associated with shock and cardiac arrhythmias.

Intravenously, ipecac in total doses over 1 gram can lead to circulatory collapse.

  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. Brotman, M. C., Forbath, N., Garfinkel, P. E., and Humphrey, J. G. Myopathy due to ipecac syrup poisoning in a patient with anorexia nervosa. Can.Med.Assoc.J. 9-1-1981;125(5):453-454.
  3. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  4. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  5. Rashid, N. Medically unexplained myopathy due to ipecac abuse. Psychosomatics 2006;47(2):167-169.
  6. Day, L., Kelly, C., Reed, G., Andersen, J. M., and Keljo, J. M. Fatal cardiomyopathy: suspected child abuse by chronic ipecac administration. Vet.Hum.Toxicol. 1989;31(3):255-257.
  7. Friedman, A. G., Seime, R. J., Roberts, T., and Fremouw, W. J. Ipecac abuse: a serious complication in bulimia. Gen.Hosp.Psychiatry 1987;9(3):225-228.
  8. Ho, P. C., Dweik, R., and Cohen, M. C. Rapidly reversible cardiomyopathy associated with chronic ipecac ingestion. Clin.Cardiol. 1998;21(10):780-783.
Diarrhea Gastrointestinal

Orally, ipecac causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and GI irritation. In some cases, these adverse effects are severe. There is a case report of a pneumomediastinum (air in the membrane around the heart) and retropneumoperitoneum (air behind the chest cavity) indicative of esophageal rupture following administration of a therapeutic dose of ipecac. There is also a case report of esophageal bleeding following therapeutic use of ipecac. Overdose is associated with erosion of GI tract mucous membranes.

Intravenously, ipecac in total doses over 1 gram can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms.

  1. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
  5. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  6. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  7. Silber, T. J. Ipecac syrup abuse, morbidity, and mortality: isn't it time to repeal its over-the-counter status? J Adolesc.Health 2005;37(3):256-260.
  8. Andersen, J. M., Keljo, D. J., and Argyle, J. C. Secretory diarrhea caused by ipecac poisoning. J.Pediatr.Gastroenterol.Nutr. 1997;24(5):612-615.
  9. Wolowodiuk, O. J., McMicken, D. B., and O'Brien, P. Pneumomediastinum and retropneumoperitoneum: an unusual complication of syrup-of-ipecac-induced emesis. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1984;13(12):1148-1151.
  10. Timberlake, G. A. Ipecac as a cause of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome. South.Med.J. 1984;77(6):804-805.
Vertigo Neurologic/CNS

Orally, ipecac may cause dizziness. Overdose is associated with convulsions and coma.

Intravenously, ipecac in total doses over 1 gram can lead to nervous system symptoms.

  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no recommended over-the-counter dose for ipecac because it is no longer advised for home use. We will not provide dosing amounts here, since using ipecac on your own can be harmful.

If you have a product on hand, do not use it for poisoning—instead, call your Poison Control center or emergency services right away, as they can give the safest, up-to-date advice.

For any homeopathic ipecac product, follow the directions on the label, but be aware these products are not proven to work. Always check with a pharmacist or doctor before using any ipecac-containing product.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Ipecac & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally; ipecac is a potential uterine stimulant.

  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

Ipecac & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 39 references that drive our Ipecac monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  5. Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
  6. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  7. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  8. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  9. Burnham TH, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons, Updated Monthly. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO.
  10. Ipecac for the home treatment of poisonings. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter 2003;19(12):191201.
  11. Anon. Position paper: Ipecac syrup. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2004;42:133-43. PubMed
  12. Wax, P. M., Cobaugh, D. J., and Lawrence, R. A. Should home ipecac-induced emesis be routinely recommended in the management of toxic berry ingestions? Vet.Hum.Toxicol. 1999;41(6):394-397.
  13. Bond, G. R. Home syrup of ipecac use does not reduce emergency department use or improve outcome. Pediatrics 2003;112(5):1061-1064. PubMed
  14. Meadows-Oliver, M. Syrup of ipecac: new guidelines from the AAP. J.Pediatr.Health Care 2004;18(2):109-110.
  15. Silber, T. J. Ipecac syrup abuse, morbidity, and mortality: isn't it time to repeal its over-the-counter status? J Adolesc.Health 2005;37(3):256-260. PubMed
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Ipecac: Common Questions

What is Ipecac used for, and does it work?
People use Ipecac for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.
Does Ipecac interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 2 medications with a known interaction with Ipecac, including 2 rated major. Use the checker above to see how Ipecac interacts with a specific drug.
How are Ipecac interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Ipecac with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Ipecac interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
Should I keep syrup of Ipecac at home in case of poisoning?
No. Poison-control and medical experts no longer recommend keeping or using syrup of Ipecac. If a poisoning happens, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) or emergency services right away.
Is Ipecac safe to use?
Ipecac is not considered safe for home use. It can cause serious harm, including breathing problems and heart damage, especially with repeated use, and it has no proven benefit for most purposes.
Can I use Ipecac during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. Ipecac should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding because of its toxic effects and the lack of safety information.
Why is Ipecac dangerous for people with eating disorders?
Some people misuse Ipecac to force vomiting, but repeated use lets the toxic compound emetine build up and damage the heart muscle, which can be permanent or even fatal.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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