Epidemiologic Notes and Reports
Syrup of Ipecac Contamination
On April 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced
the
nationwide recall of Humco-brand syrup of ipecac as a result of a
labeling error. The manufacturer, Humco Laboratory, Inc., of
Texarkana, Texas, undertook the recall of all lots of the product
following a report to FDA from the Thrift Drug Company of
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, that five of seven ipecac bottles in one of the
company's drugstores had been found by the drug company to contain
eucalyptus oil instead of ipecac. In addition to commercial sales,
thousands of 1-ounce bottles of Humco-brand ipecac syrup were made
available free to nonprofit organizations, including several
poison
control centers, throughout the United States during the week of
May 2
as part of Poison Prevention Week campaigns.
The syrup was sold or given away as individual 1-ounce bottles
or
was included as part of a poison kit. At the time of the recall,
200,000 bottles were known to still be in distribution channels;
another 200,000 bottles may already have reached consumers. FDA
advises consumers to return all 1-ounce bottles labeled Humco
ipecac.
Reported by: Dallas District Office; Office of Compliance, Center
for
Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration.
Epidemiology Br, Div of Injury Epidemiology and Control, Center
for
Environmental Health and Injury Control, CDC.
Editorial Note: Ipecac syrup is used mostly to induce vomiting
in
children under the age of 4 after a poisoning or suspected
poisoning.
Eucalyptus oil is commonly used in minute amounts in vaporizers
and
nose drops, and in cough drops as flavoring, and it is considered
safe
for these purposes. However, pure eucalyptus oil should never be
ingested because even small amounts can quickly cause convulsions
and
coma. As little as 1 teaspoon (5 cc) can be fatal. Parents are
urged
to search for 1-ounce bottles of Humco ipecac and to return them
to
the source from which they were distributed.
For further information, contact Gust Koustenis, Recall
Officer,
Office of Compliance, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research,
Food
and Drug Administration, 7520 Standish Place, Rockville, Maryland
20855, telephone (301)295-8060.
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