New Delhi, July 8 -- India's drug regulator has ordered immediate safety label updates for five widely used antimicrobial medicines after fresh data identified previously unlisted adverse drug reactions.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) directed state licensing authorities on 6 July to ensure that manufacturers revise the prescribing information leaflets and promotional literature for tetracycline (used for bacterial infections like acne and respiratory tract issues), vancomycin (indicated for severe bacterial infections), metronidazole (used for bacterial and parasitic infections), cotrimoxazole (a combination antibiotic used for urinary and chest infections), according to official documents reviewed by Mint and t...