Bulimia: Misuse of Ipecac Syrup
Current as of: May 3, 2017
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & W. Stewart Agras, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry
Syrup of ipecac is a medicine that causes vomiting. It works by irritating the stomach lining until a person vomits. Some people who have bulimia nervosa use ipecac regularly to make themselves vomit. Misuse of ipecac can cause:
If ipecac is misused, it can cause serious heart problems, such as cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, or myocarditis, all of which can lead to death.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. Stewart Agras, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry
Current as ofMay 3, 2017
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Related InformationCurrent as of: May 3, 2017
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & W. Stewart Agras, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry
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