Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee

Questions to the Committee

June 12, 2003

Continued Over-the-Counter (OTC) Status of Ipecac Syrup

1. Discuss the role of Gastrointestinal Decontamination (GID) in poison management.

2. Is the availability of emergency medical treatment (rural vs. urban setting) clinically relevant to whether ipecac syrup is used for GID in poison management?

3. Is the evidence available in the literature of adequate quality and quantity to establish the risk:benefit ratio of ipecac syrup for OTC use?

4. Should ipecac syrup retain OTC status for use by consumers to treat accidental poisoning?