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The Department of Health (DH) today (May 27) called on members of the public who had consulted a general practitioner for flatulence (stomach gas) and stomach discomfort in Chuk Yuen to stop taking the drug prescribed by the doctor labelled as "simethicone" and call the DH hotline 2575 1221.
The appeal was made by DH after receiving notification today by Queen Elizabeth Hospital that three patients were admitted earlier this month for attack of low blood glucose, and they had all visited Dr Ronald Li Sai-lai's clinic at 208, Chuk Yuen Estate Shopping Centre, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon for stomach discomfort and were prescribed with the drug labelled as "simethicone".
The three patients, two women aged 41 and 86 and a 76-year-old man, developed symptoms of attack of low blood glucose after taking the drug labelled as "simethicone", which was subsequently found to be Gliclazide (a drug for diabetes) during laboratory testing by the Hospital Authority.
People without diabetes but have taken the dispensed drug would develop symptoms of muscular weakness and incoordinaion, mental confusion and sweating. If severe, it may lead to coma.
Patients who had consulted the said doctor since January this year for stomach discomfort and feeling unwell should seek medical consultation. A DH special hotline 2575 1221 will operate until 10pm today and from 9am to 5pm tomorrow for enquiry.
Meanwhile, patients who might have been dispensed with the drug are being contacted.
DH's staff, including pharmacists and medical officers, have visited Dr Li's clinic for follow-up investigation.
"Medical practitioners should watch out for patients presented with low blood glucose and are also reminded to pay extra attention in prescribing the two drugs as they look similar," he added.
Ends/Friday, May 27, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:40
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