noun
- Plural of emetine; alkaloid compounds derived from ipecac root, formerly used as an emetic or expectorant in medicine.
Usage: technical; medical/pharmaceutical; largely historical use
Examples
- Emetines were extracted from ipecac and used in cough syrups during the early 20th century.
- The pharmacist explained that emetines work by stimulating the vomiting center in the brain.
- Modern medicine has largely replaced emetines with safer alternatives for treating parasitic infections.
- Researchers studied the chemical structure of emetines to develop new therapeutic compounds.