Ethylene Glycol In Cough Syrups : Death Of 18 Children In Uzbekistan
The Health Ministry of Uzbekistan has reported the death of 18 children with acute respiratory disease from taking excessive doses of a cough syrup – Doc-1 Max manufactured by an Indian firm.
- The cough syrups contained ethylene glycol, a substance that ought not to be present in cough syrup.
- Earlier, Gambia also reported “unacceptable levels” of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) in India manufactured cough syrups.
- DEG and EG are highly toxic colourless and viscous liquids which have a sweetish taste.
- They are often found as contaminants in glycerin, which is used as a sweetener in formulations of many pharmaceutical syrups ingested orally.
- Acute poisoning from EG may result in Ataxia, Slurred speech, Restlessness, Disorientation, Myoclonic jerks, Convulsions, Coma and Death.
