I've been taking cough mixture, just realised I shouldnt

[Sparrowlegs248]

I spoke to pharmacist who said anything medicated was bad, but natural remedies would be OK. I'd tried some honey and lemon syrup which made me sick and didn't work. Found bottle of covonia catarrh relief in cabinet, had a quick look at label, didn't see anything about noy taking in pregnancy. Also says traditional herbal medicine. Friend just told me I shouldn't be taking it. On closer inspection, the label peels away and inside it says should not take if pregnant or bf. I am both.

Obviously I won't take any more but have done 2-3 times a day for about 5 days!

Active ingredients are liquid extract burdock root, liquid extract hyssop herb. Also ethanol, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate,

How pregnant are you? Call the antenatal ward and ask for a chat :)

I'm not sure. I think.about 11 weeks. Thanks for your reply. Feeling bad about it.

Don't worry too much. Call and check by all means and put your mind at rest.

I'm no expert, but I'd guess there's two reasons for the warning on the label: that it contains ethanol (alcohol) and that the other ingredients mentioned won't have been officially tested on pregnant women to determine that they're safe (because it is generally unethical to have clinical trials to test effects on a pregnant woman and her child!). Doesn't mean to say it's DEFINITELY harmful, just that it could be because they haven't proven it's not.

This might not be the case of course, but it seems likely so try not to worry and just check with a professional as soon as you can to put your mind at rest. The main thing is that you found out and have already stopped taking it.