Ingredient record · Expectorant in cough syrups
Ammonium chloride: bans, restrictions and failed batches in India
Last checked 20 September 2026. Sources: CDSCO banned-drugs notifications and monthly NSQ alerts, Jan 2019 to Jul 2026
50 entries containing Ammonium chloride are on India's banned-drugs list, and 28 are banned today. 11 batches of medicines containing Ammonium chloride failed a government lab test between May 2021 and June 2026, from 10 manufacturers. A failed batch concerns that batch only, not the medicine or every brand.
28
Banned combinations in force
22
Other listed orders (stayed, restricted, quashed)
11
Batches failed a lab test
Jun 2026
Latest lab alert
Is it banned? Our answer pages
SC interim relief · on sale
On the banned-drugs list
Ammonium chloride on its own is not on CDSCO's banned list. The entries below are specific combinations that contain it. Status follows CDSCO's own notes on each entry.
| Drug / combination | Action | Notification | Date | Order | Status note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambroxol HCl + Terbutaline Sulphate + Ammonium Chloride + Guaifenesin + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 3398(E) | 2 August 2024 | 156 FDCs · Aug 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Ambroxol HCl + Salbutamol Sulphate + Ammonium Chloride + Guaifenesin + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 3399(E) | 2 August 2024 | 156 FDCs · Aug 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide + Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 3401(E) | 2 August 2024 | 156 FDCs · Aug 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Salbutamol Sulphate + Bromhexine HCl + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 3402(E) | 2 August 2024 | 156 FDCs · Aug 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Chlorpheniramine Maleate + P.g Sulphonate + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 3404(E) | 2 August 2024 | 156 FDCs · Aug 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Aminophylline + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium CitrateFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 3405(E) | 2 August 2024 | 156 FDCs · Aug 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Dextromethorphan + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 2397(E) | 2 June 2023 | 14 FDCs · Jun 2023 | Prohibited under s.26A on DTAB/Expert Committee advice; these are 14 of the 15 'pre-1988' FDCs excluded from the 2018 re-ban (Imipramine + Diazepam not included). |
| Ammonium Chloride + Bromhexine + DextromethorphanFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 2399(E) | 2 June 2023 | 14 FDCs · Jun 2023 | Prohibited under s.26A on DTAB/Expert Committee advice; these are 14 of the 15 'pre-1988' FDCs excluded from the 2018 re-ban (Imipramine + Diazepam not included). |
| Bromhexine + Dextromethorphan + Ammonium Chloride + MenthoFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 2400(E) | 2 June 2023 | 14 FDCs · Jun 2023 | Prohibited under s.26A on DTAB/Expert Committee advice; these are 14 of the 15 'pre-1988' FDCs excluded from the 2018 re-ban (Imipramine + Diazepam not included). |
| Dextromethorphan + Chlorpheniramine + Guaifenesin + Ammonium ChlorideFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 2401(E) | 2 June 2023 | 14 FDCs · Jun 2023 | Prohibited under s.26A on DTAB/Expert Committee advice; these are 14 of the 15 'pre-1988' FDCs excluded from the 2018 re-ban (Imipramine + Diazepam not included). |
| Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Menthol (100mg + 40mg + 2.5mg + 0.9mg), (125mg + 55mg + 4mg + 1mg), (110mg + 46mg + 3mg + 0.9mg) & (130mg + 55mg + 3mg + 0.5mg) per 5ml SyrupFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 2406(E) | 2 June 2023 | 14 FDCs · Jun 2023 | Prohibited under s.26A on DTAB/Expert Committee advice; these are 14 of the 15 'pre-1988' FDCs excluded from the 2018 re-ban (Imipramine + Diazepam not included). |
| Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + Chlorpheniramine Maleate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Under examination | S.O. 4411(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | SC order 14.02.2019: claimed pre-1988 FDC; under examination with Expert Committee per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 (note 4#). Legally on sale pending examination. |
| Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium CitrateFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Under examination | S.O. 4532(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | SC order 14.02.2019: claimed pre-1988 FDC; under examination with Expert Committee per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 (note 4#). Legally on sale pending examination. |
| Diphenhydramine + Terpine + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4529(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Ambroxol + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + Phenylephrine + Chlorpheniramine Maleate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4534(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Cetirizine + Ambroxol + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + Phenylephrine + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4538(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Diphenhydramine + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + BromhexineFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4551(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Diphenhydramine + Guaifenesin + Bromhexine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4570(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Dextromethorphan + Phenylephrine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4574(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium ChlorideFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4591(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Noscapine + Sodium CitrateFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4594(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Dextromethorphan + Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4615(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Ammonium Chloride + Dextromethorphan + Cetirizine + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4621(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Chlorpheniramine + Terpin + Antimony Potassium Tartrate + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4623(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4627(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Chloroform + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4636(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Dextromethorphan + Cetirizine + Guaifenesin + Ammonium ChlorideFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4640(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Chlorpheniramine + Vasaka + Tolubalsam + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4643(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Dextromethorphan + Ambroxol + Ammonium Chloride + Chlorpheniramine + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4645(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Dextromethorphan + Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Banned | S.O. 4680(E) | 7 September 2018 | 328 FDCs · Sep 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + Chlorpheniramine Maleate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 740(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Diphenhydramine + Terpine + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 866(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Dextromethorphan + Dextromethorphan + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Under examination | S.O. 869(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; SC order 15.12.2017 treated it as a pre-1988 FDC, under examination with Expert Committee per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 (note 3#). 14 of these 15 were re-prohibited on 02.06.2023 (wave 2023-14). |
| Ambroxol + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + Phenylephrine + Chlorpheniramine Maleate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 872(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Cetirizine + Ambroxol + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + Phenylephrine + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 876(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Diphenhydamine + Guaifenesin + Ammonium Chloride + BromhexineFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 889(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Diphenhydramine + Guaifenesin + Bromhexine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 908(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Dextromethorphan + Phenylephrine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 913(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Bromhexine + Dextromethorphan + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Under examination | S.O. 926(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; SC order 15.12.2017 treated it as a pre-1988 FDC, under examination with Expert Committee per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 (note 3#). 14 of these 15 were re-prohibited on 02.06.2023 (wave 2023-14). |
| Dextromethorphan + Chlorpheniramine + Guaifenesin + Ammonium ChlorideFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Under examination | S.O. 930(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; SC order 15.12.2017 treated it as a pre-1988 FDC, under examination with Expert Committee per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 (note 3#). 14 of these 15 were re-prohibited on 02.06.2023 (wave 2023-14). |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium ChlorideFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 933(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Noscapine + Sodium CitrateFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 936(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Dextromethorphan + Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 958(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Ammonium Chloride + Dextromethorphan + Cetirizine + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 964(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 970(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Chloroform + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 981(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Dextromethorphan + Cetirizine + Guaifenesin + Ammonium ChlorideFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 986(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Chlorpheniramine + Vasaka + Tolubalsm + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 989(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Dextromethorphan + Ambroxol + Ammonium Chloride + Chlorpheniramine + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 991(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Dextrometharphan + Chlorpheniramine + Ammonium Chloride + Sodium Citrate + MentholFixed-dose combination · cough-cold | Quashed | S.O. 1026(E) | 10 March 2016 | 344 FDCs · Mar 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
Products that failed lab tests
Product names as printed by the testing labs, grouped. Open a product to see every batch number.
Most recent failed batches
| Product | Batch | Manufacturer | Reason declared NSQ | Tested by | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noscapine, Sodium Citrate, Ammonium Chloride Oral Suspension | D3801625Mfg 2025-03 · Exp 2027-08 | Biological E. LimitedUttarakhand | The sample does not conform to Manufacturer's specification with respect to Assay of Noscapine.Assay | CDL KolkataCDSCO lab | Jun 2026 |
| Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate and Terpin Hydrate Syrup | B46826001Mfg 2026-01 · Exp 2027-12 | Torque Phamrmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.13B-14 | The sample does not conform to claim as per Patent and Proprietary in respect to the Assay of Sodium Citrate.Assay | RDTL, ChandigarhCDSCO lab | Feb 2026 |
| Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate & Menthol Syrup | S285011Mfg 2025-04 · Exp 2027-03 | Goa Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals LtdGoa | The sample does not conform to claim as per Patent and Proprietary in respect to the Assay of Sodium Citrate.Assay | RDTL, ChandigarhCDSCO lab | Feb 2026 |
| Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate & Menthol Syrup | 2519031L002Mfg 2025-12 · Exp 2027-11 | Scott-Edil Pharmacia LtdHimachal Pradesh | The sample does not conform to claim as per Patent and Proprietary in respect to the Assay of Sodium Citrate.Assay | RDTL, ChandigarhCDSCO lab | Feb 2026 |
| Diphenhydramine HCl, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate & Menthol Syrup | ZRSL - 1806Mfg 2025-09 · Exp 2027-08 | ZRS Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. LtdHimachal Pradesh | The sample does not conform to claim as per Patent and Proprietary in respect to the Assay of Sodium Citrate and Menthol.Assay | RDTL, ChandigarhCDSCO lab | Jan 2026 |
| Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Cetirizine Dihydrochloride, Zinc and Ammonium Chloride Syrup | LC-2505Mfg 2025-06 · Exp 2027-05 | Frontline Pharmaceuticals Pvt. LtdMaharashtra | The sample received does not conform to I.P. 2022 with respect to the test for Assay for Cetrizine Dihydrochloride.Assay | CDTL, MumbaiCDSCO lab | Jan 2026 |
| Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate & Menthol Syrup (Beedryl Plus) | 40183Mfg 2024-02 · Exp 2026-01 | Zenith Drugs Ltd. 72/5 & 72/3Madhya Pradesh | Assay of Menthol and DescriptionAssay | CDL KolkataCDSCO lab | Dec 2024 |
| Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate & Menthol Syrup (Beedryl Plus) | 40186Mfg 2024-02 · Exp 2026-01 | Zenith Drugs Ltd. 72/5 & 72/3Madhya Pradesh | Assay of Menthol and DescriptionAssay | CDL KolkataCDSCO lab | Dec 2024 |
| Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate & Menthol Syrup | ML220730Mfg 2022-12 · Exp 2024-11 | Mascot Health Series Pvt. LtdUttarakhand | Assay/content of MentholAssay | CDL KolkataCDSCO lab | Nov 2023 |
| Diphenhydramine HCl, Ammonium- Chloride and Sodium Citrate Cough Expectorant | LDS2005ALMfg 2022-12 · Exp 2024-05 | Hindustan Laboratories LimitedMaharashtra | Assay of MentholAssay | RDTL ChandigarhCDSCO lab | Mar 2023 |
| DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE, AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM CITRATE AND MENTHOL SRYUP | LX-5435Mfg 2021-01 · Exp 2022-06 | Legen HealthcareHimachal Pradesh | Assay of MentholAssay | RDTL ChandigarhCDSCO lab | May 2021 |
Holding a strip or bottle? The batch number is printed after "B. No." Check it against every alert. If it matches, return it to the pharmacy. What the labels mean: status guide.