1 530 Old Country Rd, Westbury, NY 11590
To the Editor.
There are three articles in the June issue of Pediatrics1-3 about ipecac without any mention of the new abuse of the drug. We think it is worthwhile to share with pediatricians the information that syrup of ipecac has become the latest addition to the drug abuse list.
More than 35,000 Americans, who have anorexia nervosabulimia syndromes are abusing syrup of ipecac repeatedly to induce vomiting after eating and bingeing. Ipecac is a cardiotoxic drug, and chronic repeated use can lead to permanent cardiac damage.