Insufficient warnings on cold cough syrups

　The CF pointed out that the main ingredients of cold syrups are acetaminophen, methylephedrine, antihistamine and caffeine. These ingredients are additive and overdosing can result in the failure of kidney and liver, high blood pressure and low blood potassium.

　According to the results announced by CF yesterday, nine out of the ten cold syrups examined by them have the warning printed in the insides of the boxes or printed so small that they cannot be clearly read. One of the products, Sucold (舒可感冒液), does not state any warning, ingredients, or instructions at all. Other failed products include Ke Feng Xie (克風邪), Wang Jiang Yi Zhen Feng (王將一陣風), Kang Tong Ning (抗痛寧), and five others.

　International Medical Statistics showed that Taiwan sold NT$150 million of cold syrups every year, which means at least 210,000 bottles are consumed every day.

　Hsieh Tien-jen (謝天仁), director of CF, said some people drink several bottles every day because the syrups are sweet and thought to be effective. He advised that only 10cc of cough medicine should be drunk every time, no more than three times a day, and no more than for seven days consecutively. People with heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic diseases should only take medicines with doctor's prescriptions.

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