I believe many friends have heard of a cough suppressant - compound licorice tablets. It is a common cough suppressant for the "post-80s" and "post-90s", but now many people find that it seems to be not as common as in childhood, why is this?
Compound licorice tablets are composed of licorice flow extract, camphor, star anise, fennel, opium powder, sodium benzoate and other substances, which is a powerful cough medicine. The main ingredients are relatively common, except for one thing, opioid powder. And opium also has a creepy translation name - opium.
Long-term use of compound licorice tablets may cause drug dependence and addiction, and doctors generally recommend that they be taken continuously for no more than 1 week. Of course, it is not scientific to talk about toxicity regardless of dosage, and the amount of opium powder in each compound licorice tablet is very small. Within the prescribed range, opioids have a good analgesic and antitussive effect, but opioids are central antitussive and are not suitable for all cough symptoms.
The human body has a limited ability to metabolize opioids, and long-term use of licorice tablets may make opioids addictive, making people unable to stop eating more, and withdrawal reactions such as cold sweats, insomnia, and restlessness may occur after stopping the drug.
On the other hand, the side effects of compound licorice tablets are very large, ranging from nausea, dry mouth, constipation, to drowsiness, and if the treatment is not timely, it may also cause heart failure, kidney failure, and even periodic paralysis.
At present, compound licorice tablets have been included in the management of prescription drugs, and must be sold strictly with the prescription issued by the doctor, and the doctor's instructions should also be strictly followed when using them.
Source: Sunshine Life