emetic
emetic, any agent that produces nausea and vomiting. The use of emetics is limited to the treatment of poisoning with certain toxins that have been swallowed. Although its use is now discouraged, the most commonly used drug for this purpose was ipecac syrup, prepared from the dried roots of Carapichea ipecacuanha, a plant indigenous to Brazil and Central America.
Citation Information
Article Title:
emetic
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
26 November 2018
Access Date:
April 20, 2025