Gastrointestinal decontamination. Which method is best?
Why has ipecac syrup become less popular in emergency management of poisoning and overdose? When should gastric lavage, activated charcoal, cathartics, or a combination of methods be used? Which patients are candidates for whole-bowel irrigation with polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution? Drs Harris and Kingston answer these questions and present their recommendations for each of the available management options.
Emergency Medicine Department, St Paul-Ramsey Medical Center, MN 55101.
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Harris
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Kingston
D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002606:Charcoal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006801:Humans; D007486:Ipecac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*
D002400:Cathartics; D002606:Charcoal; D007486:Ipecac