Tag: Ipecacuanha

Although many people search for the term 'Epicac,' this is a common misspelling of the medication **ipecac**, a plant-derived emetic that was once a staple in many first-aid kits. Used to induce vomiting in cases of accidental poisoning, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in 2003 that households dispose of any stocked ipecac syrup due to a lack of evidence of its effectiveness and potential risks. This shift marks a major change in pharmacological understanding and public health recommendations.

By the early 2000s, major health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, officially recommended against the routine use of the drug ipecacuanha for accidental poisoning at home. While its syrup was a staple in many medicine cabinets for decades, evidence revealed its ineffectiveness and potential for serious harm, leading to its removal from modern medical practice. Today, its use is obsolete, replaced by safer and more effective treatments.

For decades, syrup of ipecac was a staple in medicine cabinets for treating accidental poisonings, but its use was officially retired from medical guidelines in the early 2000s due to safety and efficacy concerns. In modern contexts, when people ask "What is ipecac 30mg used for?", they are most likely referring to a homeopathic preparation, which differs significantly from the syrup once used as an emetic.