Can I take baclofen while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about baclofen.
In short
Pregnancy: Let your doctor know if you're pregnant or trying for a baby.
Breastfeeding: Baclofen may be an option while you're breastfeeding, but check with a doctor or pharmacist first, as they may want to suggest a different muscle relaxant.
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.
What this means for you
Pregnancy
- You may be able to take baclofen in pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks.
- After the birth, your baby may need close monitoring to check for possible withdrawal symptoms.
When to get help
- If you take baclofen while breastfeeding and you're worried about your baby, speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 (in the UK).
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
This page is educational, not advice for your own situation. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before you start, stop or change any medicine in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
The details: what each source says
Baclofen in pregnancy
The NHS says
Let your doctor know if you're pregnant or trying for a baby. You may be able to take baclofen in pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks.
After the birth, your baby may need close monitoring to check for possible withdrawal symptoms.
In our words, from the NHS page Baclofen (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
What these words mean
- embryofetal
- about the embryo and fetus (a baby's early stages of growing in the womb)
Definitions adapted from the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms (National Cancer Institute).
The US drug label says
PREGNANCY There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. In animal studies, baclofen had adverse effects on embryofetal development when administered orally to pregnant rats. Baclofen Injection should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Baclofen given orally increased the incidence of fetal structural abnormalities (omphaloceles) in rats. Reductions in food intake and body weight gain were observed in the dams. Fetal structural abnormalities were not observed in mice or rabbits.
Prescribing label, section “Pregnancy”: Baclofen (intrathecal), MAlA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
This quote is from the intrathecal formulation label.
More on baclofen in pregnancy: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet (external site).
Baclofen while breastfeeding
The NHS says
Baclofen may be an option while you're breastfeeding, but check with a doctor or pharmacist first, as they may want to suggest a different muscle relaxant.
If you take baclofen while breastfeeding and you're worried about your baby, speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 (in the UK).
In our words, from the NHS page Baclofen (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
LactMed says
Limited information indicates that orally administered baclofen appears in low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Monitor newborn infants for signs of sedation. Low intrathecal doses and topical application produce even lower milk levels and are unlikely to affect the nursing infant.
“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Baclofen” (LM337), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Baclofen while breastfeeding.
The US prescribing label says
NURSING MOTHERS In mothers treated with oral baclofen (baclofen USP) in therapeutic doses, the active substance passes into the milk. It is not known whether detectable levels of drug are present in milk of nursing mothers receiving Baclofen Injection. As a general rule, nursing should be undertaken while a patient is receiving Baclofen Injection only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risks to the infant.
Prescribing label, section “Nursing Mothers”: Baclofen (intrathecal), MAlA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
This quote is from the intrathecal formulation label.
Other names
UK brand names (per the NHS): Lioresal, Lyflex.
Sources
- NHS, Baclofen (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 23 July 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US drug label: Baclofen (intrathecal), MAlA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., human prescription drug, label effective 14 March 2023, set ID e05080ef-53d9-4060-aaa4-86a6935467de. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Baclofen” (LM337), bulk release of 22 September 2026. LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. Public domain; quoted verbatim. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy), UK Teratology Information Service: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet. Linked, not reproduced.
Sources checked 26 September 2026. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.