California-based company, Master Herbs, Inc. just recently issued a nationwide recall of their Licorice Cough Syrup because of the presence of morphine. The Food and Drug Administration announced the recall last week.
Licorice Coughing Liquid OTC Cough Syrup: CDER Alert - Contains Unidentified Morphine https://t.co/0lmX4Jq7YZ #FDA
— US FDA MedWatch (@FDAMedWatch) January 16, 2016
According to the press released posted by the FDA, Master Herbs, is pulling "ALL LOTS of their Licorice Coughing Liquid" in all 100 ml bottles off the shelves, as they contain the opioid, morphine. The pain-relieving drug, however, is nowhere to be found on the bottles' labels.
As reported on CBS News, ingesting morphine without the proper medical advice can result in life-threatening hypoventilation, also known as, respiratory depression, or worse, death. This puts consumers who are not aware of the presence of the drug at risk. In addition, taking morphine can also result in allergic reactions.
The press release also warned of children, especially those who have respiratory illnesses, being exposed to morphine. Children with these conditions are susceptible to hypoventilation, which may be triggered by opioids thus, should be prevented from ingesting the drug.
As of this writing, Master Herbs says that they have yet to learn of any adverse incidents associated with the use of their product. The Licorice Cough syrup is used for the relief of cough caused by cold and bronchial and minor throat irritations. It was distributed to several Chinese supermarkets in California, Hawaii, Ohio, Illinois, Nevada and New Jersey.
Master Herbs is arranging the returns of the recalled cough syrup and is telling consumers who have the product to stop using it and return it to where it was bought. Sellers have also been already advised to discontinue the sales of the product and work out arrangements to send the product back to the company.
The company instructs consumers who might have experienced side effects by using the product to contact their physician. Problems, as well as other reactions, may also be reported through the mail, fax or online to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.
