INTRODUCTION
**FEATHERWEIGHT, INC. AND IPECAC SYRUP**
NEW YORK STATE -- A new state law recently signed by Governor Cuomo aims to cut down on abuse of Ipecac Syrup.
Ipecac is being closely regulated in New York. The drug induces vomiting and has long been associated with the tragic anorexia death of Karen Carpenter.
In a move that may be followed by other states, New York has instituted new restrictions on the sale of ipecac syrup, a drug that is used to induce vomiting in poison victims. Ipecac, which is derived from a South American plant, has a history of abuse by people with eating disorders. The bill that was signed by Governor Cuomo will not outlaw ipecac, but it will require pharmacies to move the syrup from open shelves to behind the counter. The hope is that making the drug less accessible will limit its availability to people suffering from bulimia, anorexia and binge eating.
A New York mother named Debbie Begeny was instrumental in getting the bill before the legislature. Her daughter Heather, who suffered from anorexia and bulimia, died at age 22 from cardiac arrest. After her daughter's death, Begeny found 20 bottles of ipecac in Heather's room and realized that she had been using it to induce vomiting in the final weeks of her life.
Begeny would have liked to have seen ipecac become available by prescription only, but that restriction was removed from the final legislation. Instead, customers will have to ask a pharmacist or store manager for ipecac. While Begeny doesn't think this will stop ipecac abuse, she concedes that it's a step in the right direction.
For years, pediatricians and child-care experts recommended keeping ipecac in the family first aid kit to aid in treating accidental poisoning. However, the administration of ipecac carries some risk since vomiting should not always take place when a poison is caustic. Because of the risks in administering ipecac for poisoning and the potential for irreversible damage to the heart when ipecac is abused, in 2003 the American Academy of Pediatrics changed its position on ipecac and no longer recommends that it be kept in the home.
The most famous victim of ipecac poisoning is Karen Carpenter, an American pop singer who died of heart failure in 1983. Carpenter, who was 32 at the time of her death, had suffered from anorexia for several years. Although her family thought she used laxatives rather than ipecac to maintain a low body weight, the Los Angeles coroner pronounced the cause of her death as complications from anorexia nervosa and heart damage brought on by emetine, a chemical that is present in ipecac.
ipecac Syrup is no longer available to the public on pharmacy shelves in New York State. Governor Cuomo signed the ban into law Friday, after Ipecac was reported to be misused by those with eating disorders. YNN's Antoinette Bryant spoke with a mother who has fought to get this law passed since her daughter died from Ipecac abuse.
The vomit-inducing drug, which was available over the counter, can be abused by those with eating disorders. That's what contributed to the death of Debbie Begeny's 22-year-old daughter Heather. Heather died from cardiac arrest after using Ipecac.
Under the new law, stores are required to keep the drug either behind the pharmacy counter or under the control of a manager.
"Anybody should be questioned about ipecac at this point, especially if you're a young person. There's really no need for a 17-year-old, who can't even buy cigarettes in a store, to be able to walk in and come out with bottles of Ipecac,” said Debbie Begeny, Ipecac Legislation Advocate.
Begeny says she'd like to see the law passed across the country.
SUPPORT GROUPS
We are interested in forming two forms of support groups. One for Families and Friends of someone suffering from an eating disorder and One for currently suffering.
Before we make the commitment for these support groups, we will need feed back from this community. Please reply promptly with any interests and our ability to help you will be on its way!
ADVOCACY
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