Ipepac is commonly referred to as ipecac syrup, or simply ipecac. It induces violent and sustained vomiting when taken orally, and was previously recommended to be taken after accidental ingestion of poison. According to the National Capital Poison Center, however, most doctors no longer recommend keeping ipecac in your medicine cabinet, and it is not even available at most pharmacies. Using ipecac for its original intended use is dangerous. Using it for weight loss purposes is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided.
About Ipepac
Ipecac is a type of drug known as an emetic, which means it is used to induce vomiting. It is made from the roots of the ipecacuanha plant. It was popular through the 1960s as the first step in combatting accidental poison ingestion. However, because of its severe side effects, The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends it not be kept in the home. Also, its side effects can be severe enough to complicate the diagnosis of the severity of the poisoning. It has also sometimes caused a patient to purge the very drugs he was given to treat the poisoning. Most importantly, according to the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, vomiting did not improve the outcome of poisoned patients when compared to those who did not vomit. For these reasons, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering making a recommendation that ipecac be considered a prescription-only drug. If you have been poisoned, immediately call an ambulance or the poison control center. Do not take ipecac because it may cause additional damage.
Weight Loss
Taking Ipecac will cause severe vomiting within 20 to 30 minutes. Your stomach contents, including any food or water you have consumed that still remain in your stomach, will be forcibly expelled. Therefore, taking ipecac will cause temporary weight loss, but it should never be used or this purpose. The weight loss it will cause will be minuscule and not sustainable, and you will regain the small amount of weight you have lost as soon as you eat or drink something.
Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa, commonly called simply bulimia, is a disease usually characterized by a binge-purge cycle. This means that a sufferer ingests a large quantity of food and calories during an eating binge. To protect against weight gain, she then feels she must get rid of the food and attempt to prevent the absorption of calories either by taking laxatives, enemas or diuretics, or forcing herself to vomit. Some suffer from anorexia nervosa as well, in which case they eat very few calories and purge, and rarely binge. If you or someone you know is suffering from bulimia, please talk to your primary care physician, a psychologist or other mental health professional.
Risks
Ipecac has been known to cause heart problems, which can be fatal. Regular use of ipecac can cause death. If the ipecac is not vomited, it can cause an unusually fast heartbeat. According to the Mayo Clinic, additional side effects include diarrhea, sustained nausea and vomiting for over 30 minutes, stomach cramps, troubled breathing, unusual weakness and stiffness of muscles. These effects may need immediate medical attention.
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