ipecac syrup is one or two teaspoonsful in children who are less than one year old and
three teaspoonsful in persons over one year old. To aid emesis, one or two glasses of
water or fruit juice can be ingested after the ipecac syrup is taken. Carbonated
beverages, milk, or activated charcoal should not be taken with this product. In
particular, milk and activated charcoal are thought to decrease the effectiveness of
ipecac syrup. If it is thought necessary to administer activated charcoal, the activated
charcoal should be given after emesis has occurred.
b. Ipecac Tincture and Ipecac Fluidextract. Ipecac syrup, USP, has replaced
ipecac tincture and ipecac fluidextract as the preferred form of ipecac. Ipecac
fluidextract is 14 times more concentrated than ipecac syrup. Hence, giving the patient
three teaspoonsful of ipecac fluidextract can be potentially dangerous to the patient.
Section III. ANTIEMETICS
3-5.
INTRODUCTION/INDICATIONS FOR ANTIEMETIC THERAPY
Antiemetics are agents which prevent or alleviate nausea and vomiting. These
agents are indicated when the physician wishes to prevent or alleviate nausea and
vomiting, especially when it is associated with motion sickness, pregnancy, or an
illness. For example, a child with the flu, with serious vomiting, can lose large volumes
of fluid. An antiemetic can help to reduce that vomiting with a resultant reduction in fluid
loss.
3-6.
EXAMPLES OF ANTIEMETICS
a. Prochlorperazine (Compazine). Prochlorperazine is an agent that is
widely used to control severe nausea and vomiting. As an antiemetic, the usual oral
dose is five to 10 milligrams three or four times a day. When given rectally in
suppository form, the dose is 25 milligrams two times a day. Intramuscular injection in a
dosage of 5 to 10 milligrams a day is sometimes ordered, the patient may repeat the
dosage every three to four hours, but the total dosage should not exceed 40 milligrams
per day. Compazine is supplied as 5, 10, and 25 milligram tablets; 2.5, 5, and 25
milligram suppositories; and 5 milligrams per milliliter injection. When you dispense this
product, tell the patient that prochlorperazine may cause drowsiness and warn him to
avoid taking the product with alcohol.
b. Trimethobenzamide (Tigan). Trimethobenzamide is indicated for use as
an antiemetic in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. The usual side effect associated
with this drug is drowsiness. Patients taking this product should be warned not to take it
with alcohol. The usual oral dose of trimethobenzamide is 250 milligrams three to four
times daily, while the rectal and injection routes of administration have the usual dosage
of 200 milligrams given three to four times daily. This product is supplied as 100 to 250
milligram capsules, 200 milligram suppositories, and 100 milligrams per milliliter
intramuscular injection.
MD0807
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