eli5: On the packaging of toilet cleaner and an article on mouthwash says that if ingested, do not induce vomitting, why is this? Wouldn’t it be better to get rid of as much of the harmful liquid as possible? What harm can happen if vomitting is induced?

Question

eli5: On the packaging of toilet cleaner and an article on mouthwash says that if ingested, do not induce vomitting, why is this? Wouldn’t it be better to get rid of as much of the harmful liquid as possible? What harm can happen if vomitting is induced?

In: 1821

Answer 1

Other than the specific problems with vomiting up caustic chemicals, inducing vomiting is generally no longer recommended. Ipecac syrup is mildly poisonous itself, inducing vomiting is less effective than alternatives like activated charcoal, if you’re vomiting you won’t be able to keep the activated charcoal down (so the more effective treatment loses effectiveness), and (for cases where you don’t know what poison you consumed) induced vomiting makes diagnosis more difficult.