ipecac

/'ipikæk/ Cách viết khác : (ipecacuanha) /,ipikækju'ænə/

Thân thiện

A doctor keeps a bottle of ipecac in the emergency room cabinet.

Definition

Noun: 1. A medicinal drug used to induce vomiting: A substance, typically derived from the dried roots of a South American plant (Carapichea ipecacuanha), historically used as an emetic, especially in cases of poisoning or drug overdose. 2. The plant source of this drug: The tropical shrub from which this medicinal substance is obtained.

Usage

• As a mass noun: "Ipecac" is most commonly used as an uncountable noun referring to the medicinal substance.
  • The emergency kit contained syrup of ipecac.
  • The use of ipecac for home poisoning treatment is no longer recommended by doctors.
• As a countable noun (less common): It can refer to a dose or preparation of the drug.
  • He was given an ipecac to empty his stomach.

Examples

• Medical Context:
  • In the past, a teaspoon of ipecac was a standard remedy for accidental ingestion of certain toxins.
  • The poison control center advised against administering ipecac.
• Botanical Context:
  • Ipecac is cultivated in parts of Brazil for its medicinal roots.

Advanced Usage

• "Syrup of ipecac": The standard liquid preparation of the drug.
  • Syrup of ipecac was once a common item in household medicine cabinets.

Variants and Related Words

• Ipecacuanha (n): The full botanical name for the plant and the drug; a less common synonym for "ipecac."
  • The active compounds are found in the root of ipecacuanha.

Synonyms

• Emeric (n): A substance that causes vomiting. (This is the general category; ipecac is a specific type of emetic.)
• Vomit inducer (n): A descriptive phrase for its function.

Important Note on Modern Usage

While "ipecac" is defined by its historical and pharmacological use, its application has drastically changed. It is critical to understand that inducing vomiting is now strongly discouraged for most types of poisoning. Current medical guidelines advise against the routine use of ipecac. Always contact a poison control center or emergency services immediately in case of suspected poisoning.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a medicinal drug used to evoke vomiting (especially in cases of drug overdose or poisoning)