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The Department of Health (DH) today (November 24) advised patrons of paediatrician Dr Wilson Fung Yee-leung to check to see whether they have been prescribed chloral hydrate syrup, and if so, to stop consuming the syrup as the drug concentration label prepared by the paediatrician on the syrup bottle is suspected to be incorrect.
Preliminary investigation revealed that although the drug concentration label on the syrup bottle stated 240mg/5ml, it was in fact 1g/5ml. The paediatrician has begun reviewing his medical records and contacting the patients.
A spokesman for DH explained that the finding was made after the Department investigated into a notification from the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) about a suspected case of overdose of chloral hydrate.
The patient was a 13-month-old boy. During consultation with the paediatrician on November 19 for treatment of chickenpox, the boy was prescribed, among other drugs, chloral hydrate syrup 5ml for irritability. He lost consciousness shortly after taking the syrup and was admitted to PWH where he was treated in the Intensive Care Unit. Chloral hydrate overdose was suspected. The patient has now recovered and is on home leave.
Investigation continues.
"Anyone who has the syrup in hand or has used the syrup and feel unwell should seek advice from the paediatrician at his clinic at 2649 1813 as soon as possible as the overdose can be very serious," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, November 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:16
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