Safety
A human poison by an unspecified route. An experimental poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes. Human systemic effects by subcutaneous route: muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and gastrointestinal effects. Mutation data reported. A severe eye and moderate skin irritant. It is one of the two potent alkaloids obtained from the Brazilian plant ipecac. The therapeutic use of various ipecac preparations has caused many cases of poisoning, in some instances with fatal results. The toxic effects are particularly prominent if the drug is given intravenously. The symptoms of intoxication are gastrointestinal irritation and salivation, as well as general edema, which follows renal insufficiency, hemoptysis (blood-stained sputum), flaccid paralysis, peripheral neuritis (inflammation of the nerve endings), aphonia (loss of voice), difficulties in swallowing, delirium, coma, and failure of the heart. The fatal dose is considered to be approximately 2 g, whether administered over a short or relatively long period. The drug seems to have a cumulative effect. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of NOx.
Safty informations about Emetine (CAS NO.483-18-1):
RIDADR:1544
HazardClass:6.1(b)
PackingGroup:III
