Health experts are warning pregnant women to be cautious when taking over-the-counter cold and flu medications. Doctors say certain ingredients could be harmful to developing babies.
Doctors believe when it comes to treating colds and flu during pregnancy, less is more.
UC San Diego Dr. Tina Chambers directs the California Pregnancy Health Information Line.
Chambers said many popular cold and flu remedies have ingredients that could be harmful. For example, Theraflu contains up to 10 percent alcohol.
"And not that the dose you're gonna take is huge. I mean, you're not gonna drink the whole bottle of it, but used in a repeated manner, you're not getting an insignificant amount of alcohol," she said.
Chambers added pregnant women should be cautious, even with cold remedies that contain herbal ingredients.
