ipecac for children

My friends little one is in the habit of thinking everything is "sweeties", this includes medication and etc. I know in the states, there was ipecac to induce vomitting incase children swallowed things they shouldnt. But from what I understand,its not available here. Is there something similiar?

It's probably not available because not everything is better coming up than staying down and bulimics use it to throw up, damaging their health a lot worse than purging alone.  It can lead to death in people abusing it.  It's basically a poison, one that can be beneficial if used properly under the supervision of a medical professional, but potentially very detrimental if misused.

It would be better for your friend to child proof her house.

ETA:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5191934_dangers-taking-ipecac-syrup.html
http://www.psychiatric-disorders.com/articles/eating-disorders/bulimia/bulimia-health-effects.php

She can get a locking box pretty cheaply.  Or a normal Rubbermaid type box in PoundStretches or a similar shop and get tiny locks for it.

I have just a normal plastic box that 'locks' and keep it on a high shelf in a hall cupboard, with all medications, along with a basket for cleaning supplies.

legs- this has nothing to do with an eating disorder

thanks for the info

Good, but I didn't mean to imply that the only dangers had to do with intentional abuse related to bulimia.  People meaning to use it to counteract poisoning probably end up doing more harm than good when they use it without medical guidance. 

Many products and medicines have a warning "If swallowed do not induce vomiting". The vomit can get inhaled and this can kill.

The use of ipecac has not been recommended in the US for quite a long time - I remember when I used to babysit in the very early 1990's they were saying NEVER use it if a child swallowed something they shouldn't; call poison control or the doctor instead.

There have been activities going on to try to convince the FDA to make ipecac no longer available OTC for several years now, but as of yet, they have not ruled on it.

http://www.poison.org/prepared/ipecac.asp

Dosing kids with stuff is a really bad idea. Believe me. I know. My parents had a thing about senna and (believe it or not) "brimstone and treacle". (Brimstone is sulphur ("sulfur") powder).

I agree that inducing vomiting can sometimes cause more harm than good.

Best to keep potentially dangerous items out of reach.

ETA: I tried to find an emergency poision control number on the NHS website but haven't been able to find any. Maybe one of the mums or dads on the boards know?

I was adivsed to just use the NHS Direct 24 hour number: 0845 46 47

I just asked a pharmacist; she says dial 999 or go at once to  the nearest A & E. Take the product packaging and/or a sample. There is a National Poisons Emergency number but this is for health professionals. For non-urgent cases call NHS Direct.

I agree with everyone else. When a child swallows something they shouldn't, the first thing you should do is call poison control or I guess in the UK the NHS direct number/999. Aspirating chemicals = extreme badness.

Yep, if in doubt call 999. 

But  obviously, prevention is better than cure so tell your friend to lock away her medicines, cleaning fluids and anything else harmful. 

As already said, the US is more towards activated charcoal then ipecac.  Even if not inhaled, many products can do more damage coming back up.

Even if not inhaled, many products can do more damage coming back up.

This is what I have heard too. I think you have to really know what they swallowed and what should be done before giving ipecac and making them vomit OR before doing nothing. Its scary stuff, poisons. I need to do better at locking our stuff away. Have you guys seen that chart that shows what poisons look like to kids? PineSol looks like apple juice, etc.