U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  1. Home
  2. Drugs
  3. Drug Safety and Availability
  4. FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Licorice Coughing Liquid
  1. Drug Safety and Availability

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Licorice Coughing Liquid

The FDA is warning consumers not to use Licorice Coughing Liquid, a cough syrup product sold over-the-counter, because it contains unidentified morphine.

The cough syrup’s labeling contains information written in English and Chinese. The product labeling does not identify the presence of morphine in English. With unidentified morphine,  consumers who are hypersensitive to morphine could suffer severe allergic reactions if they take this product. Other effects of morphine can include, but are not limited to, respiratory depression and death.

Consumers should not purchase this cough syrup and anyone who has this product should not use it.
 
This product is manufactured by Ma Ying Long Pharmaceutical Group in China and distributed in the U.S. by Master Herbs USA, Inc. in Pomona, CA. The distributor has agreed to recall the product.
 
This product is available on-line and in some retail stores. 
 
 Licorice Coughing Liquid
 
 
 
Consumers are advised to report any side effects or reactions from the use of this product to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
 
Regular Mail or FAX: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addresses form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
 
Back to Top