Compound licorice tablets are commonly used as expectorant and cough suppressant, with obvious efficacy, but side effects are also common if used irrationally. The ingredients of compound licorice tablets are licorice infusion powder, opium powder, camphor, anise oil and sodium benzoate. Among them, opium powder has analgesic, sedative and cough suppressant effects. However, opium is a kind of drug that can easily cause dependence (addiction) in human body and can become addictive when taken for a long time or in large doses, despite the low level. Compound licorice tablets are generally used for no more than 7 consecutive days, and can be discontinued when the symptoms of coughing have subsided. If taken continuously for too long, a feeling of euphoria can develop and gradually craving and dependence on it can develop. Once the drug is discontinued, patients may experience frequent yawning, cold sweats, runny nose, and even restlessness, and it often takes two to three months to get rid of them. Licorice has glucocorticoid-like effects, which can increase gastric acid secretion and decrease gastric mucus secretion, inducing or aggravating gastric ulcers, especially when combined with aspirin and salicylic acid, which can increase the risk of gastric ulcers, so patients with gastric ulcer disease should try not to choose compound licorice tablets. Compound licorice tablets can cause water and sodium retention, raise blood pressure, and also raise blood sugar, so patients with hypertension and diabetes should use them with caution. Moreover, opioids can cause smooth muscle relaxation, resulting in difficulty in defecation and urination, so patients with constipation and prostate enlargement should also use them with caution. Compound licorice tablets contain glycyrrhizic acid, which can promote the excretion of potassium from the body and lower the blood potassium concentration, thus increasing the sensitivity of people to cardiac glycosides and easily inducing cardiac glycoside poisoning. Patients who are taking cardiac glycosides (cidilan, digoxin, etc.) should avoid preparations containing licorice, such as compound licorice tablets, when choosing cough suppressants.