The SFDA recently issued a notice to warn against the potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of Vitamin C Yinqiao tablets - which combines Chinese and Western medicines and is composed of over a dozen ingredients including chlorpheniramine and paracetamol.

So far, 1,885 cases of adverse reactions of the drug, including skin disorders, allergic reactions and loss of consciousness, were reported between January 2004 and April of this year. The National Center for ADR Monitoring received 48 serious cases of side effects but there were no fatalities.

The National Center for ADR Monitoring said that such side effects were probably the result of people taking too many tablets at once, or perhaps they took other medicines with similar ingredients that were incompatible with Vitamin C Yinqiao. Some could be allergic to the tablets.

The SFDA asked doctors to remind patients about the components of the medicine and said that people who are allergic to these components should not use it. The SFDA has also ordered drug manufactures to improve package inserts and add more safety precautions.