Taiwanese Doctor Warns of Dangers After Man Hospitalized from Overdosing on Cold Medicine

A cautionary tale from Taiwan highlights the dangers of misusing common over-the-counter cold medications. A 40-year-old office worker narrowly avoided intensive care after consuming nearly half a bottle of cold syrup in a single day.

The individual reportedly took additional doses to alleviate symptoms like coughing and nasal congestion, also consuming fever-reducing medication and drinking beer. This combination of factors put them at severe risk.

Dr. Huang Xuan, a pulmonary and critical care physician, explained that cold syrups are designed solely to alleviate symptoms such as fever, runny nose, and cough; they do not combat cold viruses. He stressed that drinking more medicine does not lead to faster recovery and can be dangerous.

Dr. Huang outlined several common mistakes people make with cold medicine: treating it like a beverage, taking frequent doses without regard for daily limits, combining different cold medicines (which often have overlapping ingredients), taking it with fever reducers (increasing liver burden), and consuming it with alcohol. The latter significantly increases risks of drowsiness, falls, and respiratory depression. He also warned against children taking adult formulations and cautioned that while liquid and pill forms may have similar efficacy if dosages are equivalent, side effects can be serious.

Improper use can lead to liver damage, acute liver failure, slowed reactions, increased risk of accidents, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythms. In severe cases, confusion, hallucinations, respiratory depression, and drug poisoning requiring emergency treatment can occur. Dr. Huang urged individuals to seek medical attention if they experience persistent fever over three days, difficulty breathing, chest pain, altered consciousness, or a cough lasting several weeks.