Possibly Ineffective for
Poisoning. In the past, ipecac syrup was commonly used to cause vomiting in people who ingested poison. But now it is no longer recommended. It doesn't seem to work better than activated charcoal, another agent used for poisoning.
What are ipecac tablets used for?
Ipecac is used in the emergency treatment of certain kinds of poisoning. It is used to cause vomiting of the poison.
Does ipecac work immediately?
Ipecac syrup empties the stomach completely within 30 minutes in over 90% of patients; average emptying time is 20 minutes. ALERT Don't confuse ipecac syrup with ipecac fluid extract, which is rarely used but which is 14 times more potent.
