Syrupus Ipecacuanhae (U. S. P.)—Syrup of Ipecac.

Botanical name: 

Related entry: Ipecacuanha (U. S. P.)—Ipecac - Compound Mixture of Bloodroot

Preparation.—"Fluid extract of ipecac, seventy cubic centimeters (70 Cc.) [2 fl℥, 176♏]; acetic acid, ten cubic centimeters (10 Cc.) [162♏]; glycerin, one hundred cubic centimeters (100 Cc.) [3 fl℥, 183♏]; sugar, seven hundred grammes (700 Gm.) [1 lb. av., 8 oz., 303 grs.]; water, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Dilute the fluid extract of ipecac with three hundred cubic centimeters (300 Cc.) [10 fl℥, 69♏] of water to which the acetic acid had previously been added, and mix them, thoroughly by shaking. Then filter, and pass enough water through the filter to obtain five hundred cubic centimeters (500 Cc.) [16 fl℥, 435♏] of filtrate. To this liquid add the glycerin, dissolve the sugar in the mixture, and add enough water to make the product measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Mix thoroughly, and strain, if necessary. Syrup of ipecac may also be prepared in the following manner: Prepare a percolator or funnel in the manner described under syrup (see 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 by water, until the product measures one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Mix thoroughly"—(U.S. P.).

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This syrup is emetic and expectorant; it is used principally among children. As an emetic the dose for an adult is 1 or 2 fluid ounces; for a child 1 or 2 years old, 1 or 2 fluid drachms, to be repeated every 10 or 20 minutes till it operates. When used as an expectorant, an adult may take 1 or 2 fluid drachms; a child, from 5 to 20 minims.


King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.