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John E. Mateer, MD; Barbara J. Farrell, MD; Samuel S. M. Chou, MD; Ludwig Gutmann, MD

Arch Neurol. 1985;42(2):188-190.

Abstract
• The abuse of ipecac syrup for three years resulted in painless, nonfatigable, chiefly proximal weakness in a 27-year-old woman. Electromyography (EMG) and a muscle biopsy revealed features of a myopathy similar to those previously reported in experimental emetine myopathy. Clinical weakness and EMG abnormalities improved after discontinuation of ipecac administration. A direct toxic action of ipecac (acting through its active alkaloid, emetine hydrochloride) on muscle fibers seemed to be responsible for the weakness in this patient.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Neurology, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Drs Mateer and Farrell are now with the Department of Neurology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pa, and Dr Chou is with the Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication July 20, 1984.

Read in part before the 31st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Chicago, April 28, 1979.

Reprint requests to Department of Neurology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822 (Dr Mateer).

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