Contact Poison Control if you think there has been lead exposure. Before inducing vomiting, contact Poison Control to verify that is the correct treatment. Chronic exposure to lead may result in an accumulated overdose for which the ipecac is useless.

If instructed to induce vomiting, proceed as follows or as otherwise instructed:

• Give the usual dose of ipecac syrup: 15 milliliters (ml) or 1 TABLEspoonful for children and 30 ml (2 TABLEspoonsful) for an adult.
• Follow with 1/2 glassful or 4 ounces (oz.) of water for children or 8-12 oz. of water for adults.
• Repeat one more time in 1/2 hour if vomiting has not occurred.

Determine the following:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• the use of gastric lavage
• administration of an IV or oral antidote
• treatment of the symptoms

Complete recovery may take months to years, and there may be permanent neurologic effects of chronic lead exposure in children. Symptoms resembling chronic intoxication may be develop over a period weeks or months.

The nervous and muscular systems can be greatly affected and compromised (no longer function as well as they should) following lead intoxication. Other body systems may be affected to various degrees, such as the kidneys and blood system. Individuals that live may suffer from some permanent brain damage.