Editing Syrup of ipecac (section)

== Discontinuation ==
Ipecac has been found to have minimal health benefits, and is ultimately ineffective at purging the body of poisonous substances. It was initially discontinued due to production costs and lack of raw materials. As the ASHP advises:  "Ipecac syrup is no longer recommended for routine management of outpatient ingestions of medications or other chemicals." Humco and Paddock Laboratories, the last two companies to continue manufacturing ipecac syrup, both stopped production in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ashp.org/Drug-Shortages/Current-Shortages/Drug-Shortage-Detail.aspx?Type=Rss&Id=468 | work = Discontinued Drug Bulletin | title = Ipecac Syrup }}</ref>

A heavily cited position statement outlines critical details of its effectiveness: <blockquote>
In experimental studies the amount of marker removed by ipecac was highly variable and diminished with time. There is no evidence from clinical studies that ipecac improves the outcome of poisoned patients and its routine administration in the emergency department should be abandoned. There is insufficient data to support or exclude ipecac administration soon after poison ingestion. Ipecac may delay the administration or reduce the effectiveness of activated charcoal, oral antidotes, and whole bowel irrigation. Ipecac should not be administered to a patient who has a decreased level or impending loss of consciousness or who has ingested a corrosive substance or hydrocarbon with high aspiration potential.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Krenzelok EP, McGuigan M, Lheur P | title = Position statement: ipecac syrup. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists | journal = Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology | volume = 35 | issue = 7 | pages = 699–709 | year = 1997 | pmid = 9482425 | doi = 10.3109/15563659709162567 }}</ref>
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