Can I take co-amoxiclav while pregnant or breastfeeding?

A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about co-amoxiclav.

In short

Pregnancy: If you're pregnant and your doctor thinks you need co-amoxiclav, you can usually take it.

Breastfeeding: Co-amoxiclav can usually be taken while you're breastfeeding, but check with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.

What this means for you

Breastfeeding

When to get help

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

Co-amoxiclav in pregnancy

The NHS says

If you're pregnant and your doctor thinks you need co-amoxiclav, you can usually take it.

In our words, from the NHS page Co-amoxiclav (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.

The US drug label says

8.1 Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies performed in pregnant rats and mice given amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (2:1 ratio formulation of amoxicillin:clavulanate) at oral doses up to 1200 mg/kg/day revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. The amoxicillin doses in rats and mice (based on body surface area) were approximately 4 and 2 times the maximum recommended adult human oral dose (875 mg every 12 hours). For clavulanate, these dose multiples were approximately 9 and 4 times the maximum recommended adult human oral dose (125 mg every 8 hours). There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Prescribing label, section “8.1 Pregnancy”: AMOXICILLIN AND CLAVULANATE POTASSIUM (oral), REMEDYREPACK INC. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

More on co-amoxiclav in pregnancy: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet (external site).

Co-amoxiclav while breastfeeding

The NHS says

Co-amoxiclav can usually be taken while you're breastfeeding, but check with a doctor or pharmacist first.

If anything about your baby worries you, or you spot possible side effects of co-amoxiclav in them, speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 (in the UK). Side effects to look out for include: diarrhoea; oral thrush (mouth thrush); a skin rash; feeding less well than usual, or seeming unusually irritable; or sleepiness or unusual tiredness.

In our words, from the NHS page Co-amoxiclav (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 adverse reactions in infants are uncommon during the use of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid during nursing. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is acceptable in nursing mothers. Monitor the infant for restlessness, diarrhea and rash.

“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid” (LM12), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid while breastfeeding.

Amoxicillin produces low levels in milk that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally, rash and disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush, have been reported, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Amoxicillin is acceptable in nursing mothers. Amoxicillin powder for suspension reconstituted with breastmilk is absorbed as well as the powder reconstituted with water.[1]

“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Amoxicillin” (LM13), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Amoxicillin while breastfeeding.

The US prescribing label says

Nursing Mothers Amoxicillin has been shown to be excreted in human milk. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium use by nursing mothers may lead to sensitization of infants. Caution should be exercised when amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is administered to a nursing woman.

Prescribing label, section “Nursing Mothers”: AMOXICILLIN AND CLAVULANATE POTASSIUM (oral), REMEDYREPACK INC. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Other names

UK brand names (per the NHS): Augmentin.

Indian brands (per NPPA): Augmentin, Clavam.

US name: amoxicillin, clavulanate.

Sources

  1. NHS, Co-amoxiclav (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 14 April 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  2. US drug label: AMOXICILLIN AND CLAVULANATE POTASSIUM (oral), REMEDYREPACK INC., human prescription drug, label effective 31 August 2026, set ID a26f2ceb-bb9b-4813-9691-634338186860. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
  3. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid” (LM12), 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.
  4. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Amoxicillin” (LM13), 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.
  5. 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.