1 Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78284
Dr. Manoguerra is correct in noting discordance between the two articles included in the symposium on poisoning in childhood.
It is generally accepted that the combined use of syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal requires deferring the administration of the activated charcoal until emesis has been induced. Since activated charcoal should be administered within 30 minutes of ingestion to achieve significant inhibition of drug absorption and since syrup of ipecac frequently requires 30 minutes to induce emesis, combined use of the two therapeutic modalities has been precluded.