noun
- A bitter alkaloid compound extracted from ipecac root, formerly used as an emetic and in the treatment of dysentery and amebiasis.
Usage: medical/pharmaceutical; largely historical; less commonly used in modern medicine
Examples
- Emetin was a standard treatment for amoebic dysentery before modern antibiotics became available.
- The alkaloid emetin is derived from the ipecac plant.
- Doctors once prescribed emetin as an emetic to induce vomiting in cases of poisoning.
- Emetin's use has declined significantly with the development of safer and more effective medications.