Induction of emesis by detergent ingredients and formulations

Abstract

Beagle dogs were given two general-purpose granular synthetic detergent formulations, a liquid synthetic detergent formulation, sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate, sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (TKPP), a sodium silicate, and ipecac syrup by gastric intubation. All materials induced emesis. Emesis occurred rapidly from the granular formulations, the sodium silicate, STP, and TKPP. Intravenous apomorphine HCl was used to demonstrate the antiemetic effectiveness of pretreatment with subcutaneous chlorpromazine HCl (CPZ). Except for ipecac syrup and apomorphine HCl, pretreatment with CPZ did not alter the emetic responses from the above. Of the materials tested, STP and TKPP are believed to make the greatest contribution to the prompt emetic action of most synthetic detergent formulations. TKPP was essentially equal in emetic potency to STP. Emesis following administration of the synthetic detergent formulations and ingredients is considered to result from a direct action upon the gastrointestinal mucosa. Pretreatment with CPZ appeared to inhibit delayed (centrally induced) emesis, but did not affect early emesis from action of ipecac syrup upon the gastrointestinal mucosa.