Bulimia+Nervosa+and+Ipecac+Misuse

=Ipecac=

Ipecac is a stimulant that is derived from a Brazilian bush called urogoa ipecacunha. Ipecac is used medically to induce vomiting in patients who have ingested poison (James & Nordby, 2005). The route of administration for ipecac is oral because it is concentrated into syrup.



Ipecac irritates the mucous membranes to stimulate the production of saliva and the central nervous system to provoke purgatory form the stomach. The effects of ipecac are typically felt thirty minutes after ingestion. Once purging has occurred there are many effects that linger from ipecac. These include the heart beat significantly becomes weak; mucous discharge is tinged with blood and the individual falls into a state of collapse. There is a possibility to overdose on ipecac because repeated use causes damage to the heart, kidneys, and esophagus.

Those suffering from bulimia nervosa can rely on stimulants as a mean to control and maintain their purge cycle to ultimately control their weight. Research suggests that of the ten percent of bulimics that resort to stimulants one percent use ipecac (Tolstoi, 2006). Bulimic ipecac abuse is quite dangerous because of the frequency of the purge cycle. The intention of ipecac is that it is a single use remedy. Ipecac bulimics will resort to ipecac daily or multiple times to eliminate food consumption through purging. The alkaloid emetine in ipecac causes heart damage. The side effects of ipecac are seizures; shock; dehydration; respiratory complications; high blood pressure and blackouts (James & Nordby, 2005). Multiple uses can result in cardiac arrest and death.