China bans phenolphthalein tablets over side effects

Drug found to have serious adverse reactions during post-marketing evaluation, local media report

ANKARA (AA) - China has banned phenolphthalein tablets due to its serious side effects, local media reported on Friday.

This came a day after China's National Medical Products Administration said phenolphthalein tablets have recorded serious adverse reactions during a post-marketing evaluation, according to Chinese daily Global Times.

The agency also halt the production and sale of the drug and canceled its registration.

Phenolphthalein tablets are used to treat intractable constipation or to cleanse the intestines before colonoscopy. Some people also use it as a weight loss pills.

Some countries stopped the use of the drug years ago after it had been found in animal studies to cause cancer.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid

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