How to Induce Vomiting

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Never induce vomiting unless directed to do so by a medical professional, such as someone on a poison helpline. If the poisoned person is not breathing, drowsy, agitated, or having convulsions, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. [1] Otherwise, call the U.S. Poison Help Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 and follow their exact instructions. Note that you should never induce vomiting for non-medically urgent reasons, such as weight control.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Seeking Medical Attention for Poisoning

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  1. There is no reason to induce vomiting at home. If you or someone you’re with may have been poisoned, call the Poison Help Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 from anywhere in the United States. This number will connect you with a poison control center staffed by professionals who will provide you with free and confidential advice. [2]
    • Call this number at any time for any questions about poisoning or poison prevention.
    • Outside of the U.S., look up the number for poison control in your country and call them immediately. For instance, the number to call in Australia is 13 11 26.
    • People can be poisoned by chemicals, taking too much medication, and even too much of a certain food. If you think you or someone else may have been poisoned, do not hesitate to call Poison Control.
  2. Poison control personnel will ask you questions about what has been consumed, as well as any symptoms that have developed. If they direct you to go to an emergency room, do so immediately. [3]
    • Again, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so.
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  3. If you have a good idea of what may have caused the poisoning, such as a bottle of pills, bring this with you. It will provide medical personnel with valuable information that can help them treat the poisoning victim. [4]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Avoiding Potentially Dangerous Methods

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  1. Over-the-counter emetics, or medicines that can make you throw up, should be avoided unless a medical professional directs you to take some as a last resort. Ipecac syrup, for instance, was once commonly used to induce vomiting. However, research shows that medications such as these can complicate treatment for poisoning. In fact, ipecac is no longer produced for over-the-counter sales. [5]
  2. While salt water is a classic home remedy to induce vomiting, it may actually pose a risk to a poisoning victim. Drinking salt water can lead to salt poisoning, which can lead to symptoms like dry mouth, a higher pulse, and even seizures and brain damage. [6]
    • Drinking large amounts of salt water may cause serious health complications, including death.
  3. Folk methods of inducing vomiting include drinking mustard, drinking raw egg whites, or eating a combination of burnt toast, tannic acid, and milk of magnesia. No reputable organization has ever proven the safety of these methods. [7]
  4. There are a handful of substances that can induce vomiting but are not recommended. These include activated charcoal, atropine, biperiden, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, scopolamine, copper sulfate, bloodroot, lobelia tincture, and hydrogen peroxide. [8]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Following Up

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  1. There will likely be a bad taste in your mouth after vomiting that you want to remove. To do so, rinse your mouth with as much warm water as is necessary. [9]
    • It may also help to eat a hard candy after vomiting to help with the bad taste.
  2. Brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting can cause damage to your tooth enamel. This is because corrosive gastric acid may have entered your mouth when you vomited. [10]
  3. Do whatever poison control tells you to do. They will likely direct you to drink water but may direct you to hold off on eating or drinking for a while. If they tell you to go to the hospital, do so, even if you think you threw up most of whatever was bothering your stomach. [11]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What happens if it doesn't work for someone?
    Jonas DeMuro, MD
    Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
    Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.
    Jonas DeMuro, MD
    Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
    Expert Answer
    Depending on the gag reflex of an individual, there is a variable response to vomiting. Some folks are just less likely to vomit with the same stimulus, and this cannot be changed. If you're inducing vomiting because of a medical emergency, take the person to the hospital.
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    Not Helpful 39 Helpful 104
  • Question
    Is it okay for me to make myself vomit when I'm depressed or under a lot of stress?
    Jonas DeMuro, MD
    Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
    Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.
    Jonas DeMuro, MD
    Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
    Expert Answer
    No, this is not okay. Self-induced vomiting is generally a sign of bulimia, which would require psychiatric treatment.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Warnings

      • If you induce vomiting regularly as a way to lower your weight, or if you binge on food and then vomit to get the food out of your system, then you may be suffering from an eating disorder known as bulimia nervosa . Long-term vomiting can cause dehydration, damage to your tooth enamel or permanent damage to your esophagus. If you think you have an eating disorder like bulimia, talk to a counselor or a doctor right away. [12]
        Thanks
        Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0

      Never put your fingers in your mouth to induce vomiting, as that can cause choking and, ultimately, death.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007579.htm
      2. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007579.htm
      3. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007579.htm
      4. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007579.htm
      5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9482425/
      6. ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2016/08/risks-of-salt-poisoning
      7. ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/ipecac-do-not-use-it
      8. ↑ http://www.ehealthstar.com/how-to-induce-vomiting.php
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000122.htm
      1. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/cold-and-flu-season
      2. ↑ https://www.poison.org/help-and-faq
      3. ↑ https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/self-induced-vomiting.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you try to induce vomiting, make sure to call the Poison Control Hotline to speak with a medical professional who can safely walk you through the process. Depending on your symptoms, you may be directed to go the emergency room. In that case, bring the potential poison with you to help the medical personnel determine how to treat your condition. Additionally, make sure to avoid using salt water or other home remedies, which can push the toxins further into your digestive tract. For more advice from our Medical reviewer, including how to avoid potentially dangerous methods to induce vomiting, keep reading.

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