Can pregnant women take licorice tablets?

Generally, pregnant women are advised not to take licorice tablets.

Licorice tablets, commonly referring to compound licorice tablets, mainly contain licorice extract powder, opium powder, camphor, and other ingredients. Although licorice tablets have cough-suppressing and expectorant effects, some of their components may have adverse effects on pregnant women and the fetus. Opium powder may cause dependency and negatively affect the neurological development of the fetus. Additionally, opium powder might activate opioid receptors in the central nervous system, placing the uterus of pregnant women in an excited state, causing irregular contractions, and increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

Camphor may also have certain effects on fetal growth and development. Licorice tablets may cause water and sodium retention, leading to elevated blood pressure and increasing the risk of gestational hypertension disorders. Excessive use of licorice tablets could even lead to severe bleeding or miscarriage in pregnant women.

Pregnant women have a unique physical condition during pregnancy and must be particularly cautious when using medications. If a pregnant woman experiences symptoms such as coughing, she should choose relatively safe medications under a doctor's guidance, such as ambroxol or bamboo沥fluid (fresh bamboo extract). At the same time, pregnant women can also relieve cough symptoms by drinking more water, eating more vegetables and fruits, and consuming rock candy-steamed pear soup.