China's drug watchdog on Tuesday issued a warning about adverse reactions induced by the herbal "qingkailing" injection.

A statement on the Web site of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) said unintended reactions included allergic shock, chills, high fever, vomiting, blood in the urine and damage to the respiratory system. Death occurred in the most severe cases.

The administration advised medical workers to fully understand the functions of the drug and be cautious in prescribing it. They should refrain from applying it to sensitive and weak patients and be careful when using it on the elderly and children.

Containing ingredients including cholic acid, buffalo horn, skullcap, gardenia and honeysuckle, Qingkailing is mainly used to treat fever, stroke, acute hepatitis, upper respiratory tract infection and pneumonia.

The statement said allergic reactions from the injection were first reported in November 2001 and severe adverse reactions had been reported since. When reached by phone, a spokeswoman with the administration said they only observed the trend, but didn't have the exact number of the deaths.

The administration also warned against the adverse reactions to Cefoperazone Sodium and Sulbactam Sodium, an injection used to treat infections in respiratory, urinary and bone and juncture systems. Improper use of it might lead to health problems, especially respiratory damage.

The statement said the medicines were "double-edged swords" with both healing effects and side effects, stressing the medicines listed in the warning were not considered "poisonous, fake, sub-standard or unsuitable medicines."

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2009)