The Department of Health (DH) today (August 5) called on people not to buy or use two products of a brand of proprietary Chinese medicine - Qiangxiao Pingchuan Qingfei Jiaonang (1) and Qiangxiao Pingchuan Qingfei Jiaonang (3) - both of which contain six Western drug ingredients and may cause side effects.
Five of the six ingredients, morphine, codeine, theophylline, diclofenac, nifedipine are prescription-only drugs and should be used only under medical supervision. Cyproheptadine can be bought over-the-counter.
Morphine and diclofenac are pain killers. Codeine is a cough suppressant. Theophylline is used to treat asthma. Nifedipine is used for hypertension and Cyproheptadine is used to relieve allergy.
The appeal was made after an investigation into a case in which a 68-year-old man was admitted into United Christian Hospital on June 14 this year because of fever, shortness of breath and increased heart rate. The man claimed that he had taken the product bought from the Mainland for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for two months. He recovered and was discharged on June 29.
The department has no record of these two products having been imported into Hong Kong for sale, or having been submitted for registration. The relevant authorities on the Mainland and Macau have been informed.
Morphine and codeine can cause constipation, drowsiness and respiratory depression. Theophylline can cause irregular heart rate, gastro-intestinal discomfort and nausea. Diclofenac can cause gastro-intestinal discomfort. Nifedipine can cause headache and dizziness. Cyproheptadine can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Products containing the above named drug ingredients, except cyproheptadine, are classified as Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, i.e. they can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under a pharmacist's supervision. Products containing cyproheptadine and can be purchased over-the-counter.
People who have been using the products are advised to immediately stop taking them and to seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
They are urged to dispose of the products or submit them to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at the third floor of the Public Health Laboratory Centre at 382, Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.
People with COPD should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice and treatment.
The department has also set up a hotline 2319 2839 for enquiries during office hours.
People with COPD should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice and treatment.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200508/05/08050218.htm