Consumers are urged to stop taking five brands of proprietary Chinese medicines which contain two Western drug ingredients that can cause side effects.

The five products are Jin Feng Brand Gallinaci Bak Foong Pills, Baozhitang Gallinaci Pai Feng Pills, Pujitang Gallinaci Pai Feng Pills, Jinbei Brand Gallinaci Pai Feng Pills and Tongjitang Gallinaci Pai Feng Pills, all bearing the same batch number 40010.

They contain diclofenac and paracetamol. Diclofenac is a pain killer. Its side-effects are gastro-intestinal disturbances including gastric pain, nausea, diarhoea, vomiting, peptic ulcers and bleeding. Paracetamol is also a pain killer but when taken in high doses can cause liver damage.

The manufacturer has been ordered to recall the products and surrender them to the Department of Health.

Consumers who have purchased the products should immediately stop using them and seek medical advice if they feel unwell. Call the distributor's hotline 2793 0123 for matters relating to the recall, or the department's hotline 2319 2839 for more information.