Ipecac syrup and bulimia nervosa
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Ipecac syrup and bulimia nervosa
Syrup of ipecac is a medicine that causes vomiting. Its purpose is to empty the stomach after poisoning or drug overdose. It works by irritating the stomach lining until a person vomits. Some people who have bulimia nervosa use ipecac regularly to make themselves vomit. If used too often, ipecac can cause:
- Diarrhea.
- Drowsiness.
- Coughing or choking.
- Low blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat.
- Chest and stomach pain.
- Breathing problems.
If this product is abused or if too much of it is absorbed into the body, it can cause serious heart problems, such as cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, or myocarditis, all of which can lead to death.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | W. Stewart Agras, MD - Psychiatry |
| Last Updated | October 4, 2007 |
| Last updated: | October 04, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, W. Stewart Agras, MD - Psychiatry |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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