Syrupus Ipecacuanhae. U.S. Syrup of Ipecac. Syr. Ipecac.

Botanical name: 

Related entry: Ipecac

Sirop d'Ipecacuanha, Fr. Cod.; Sirupus Ipecacuanhae, P. G.; Brechwurzelsirup, Ipecacuanhasirup, G.; Sciroppo di ipecacuanha, It.; Jarabe de ipecacuana, Sp.

"Fluidextract of Ipecac, seventy mils [or 2 fluidounces, 176 minims]; Acetic Acid, ten mils [or 162 minims]; Glycerin, one hundred mils [or 3 fluidounces, 183 minims]; Sugar, seven hundred grammes [or 24 ounces av., 303 grains]; Water, a sufficient quantity, to make one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces, 6 ½ fluidrachms]. Dilute the fluidextract of ipecac with three hundred mils [or 10 fluidounces, 69 minims] of water to which the acetic acid has previously been added, and mix them thoroughly by shaking, and set the liquid aside in a cool place for twenty-four hours. Then filter, and pass enough water through the filter to make the filtrate measure four hundred and fifty mils [or 15 fluidounces, 104 minims]. To this filtrate add the glycerin, dissolve the sugar in the mixed liquids, and add enough water to make the product measure one thousand mils [or 33 fluid-ounces, 6 ½ fluidrachms]. Mix thoroughly, and strain, if necessary. Syrup of Ipecac may also be made in the following manner: Prepare a percolator in the manner described under Syrupus. Mix the filtrate obtained as directed in the preceding formula with the glycerin, pour the mixture upon the sugar, return the first portions of the percolate, until it runs through clear, and, when all the liquid has passed, follow it with water, until the sugar is all dissolved and the product measures one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces, 6 ½ fluidrachms]. Mix thoroughly." U. S.

The present U. S. syrup is made in accordance with the suggestions of Laidley of Richmond, Va., who found the syrup, as formerly prepared, to spoil on keeping. (A. J. P., xxvi, 103, and July, 1879.) (See a practical paper on this subject by A. Bobbins in A. J. P., Aug., 1879.) The substitution of glycerin for a portion of the syrup in the U. S. process is an improvement, but the addition of the very small quantity of Acetic Acid is of questionable utility. For formulae in which the drug ipecac is employed, the reader may consult A. J. P., 1870, p. 127; 1871, p. 104; May, 1881.

If strictly official fluidextract of ipecac is used in making this syrup, and the process is carried out in all its details, the syrup will remain transparent; but if commercial fluid-extract is used, or if the fluidextract has not been very carefully made, it will be necessary to modify the process somewhat to secure a transparent syrup. This may be effected by allowing the diluted fluidextract in the official process for making this syrup to remain for two or three days in a cool place before filtering, and adding to the sugar.

One fluidounce of this syrup should contain the virtues of about thirty grains of ipecac.

Although this syrup possesses all the virtues of ipecac, it is used almost exclusively as a nauseating expectorant in acute bronchitis.

Dose, for an adult, as an expectorant, from fifteen to thirty minims (0.9-1.8 mils); as an emetic, half a fluidounce (15 mils).


The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, was edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others.