Can I take cyclizine while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about cyclizine.
In short
Pregnancy: Cyclizine can be used in pregnancy if needed.
Breastfeeding: Let your doctor know if you're breastfeeding. Cyclizine is not usually used during breastfeeding, because of the risk of side effects in your baby.
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.
What this means for you
Pregnancy
- Your doctor will go through the risks and benefits of taking it while pregnant with you.
- If you need cyclizine while pregnant, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that still works.
Breastfeeding
- Let your doctor know if you're breastfeeding.
- Cyclizine is not usually used during breastfeeding, because of the risk of side effects in your baby.
- A doctor may still recommend it if the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Taking it for only a short time lowers the risks.
- Side effects to look out for include your baby being sleepy or unusually tired, feeding less well than usual, or peeing less than usual.
When to get help
- If anything about your baby worries you, or you spot possible side effects of cyclizine in them, 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
Cyclizine in pregnancy
The NHS says
Cyclizine can be used in pregnancy if needed. Your doctor will go through the risks and benefits of taking it while pregnant with you.
If you need cyclizine while pregnant, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that still works.
In our words, from the NHS page Cyclizine (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
More on cyclizine in pregnancy: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet (external site).
Cyclizine while breastfeeding
The NHS says
Let your doctor know if you're breastfeeding. Cyclizine is not usually used during breastfeeding, because of the risk of side effects in your baby.
A doctor may still recommend it if the benefits outweigh the risks. Taking it for only a short time lowers the risks.
If anything about your baby worries you, or you spot possible side effects of cyclizine in them, speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 (in the UK). Side effects to look out for include your baby being sleepy or unusually tired, feeding less well than usual, or peeing less than usual.
In our words, from the NHS page Cyclizine (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
Occasional doses of cyclizine are probably acceptable during breastfeeding. Large doses or more prolonged use may cause effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established.
“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Cyclizine” (LM841), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Cyclizine while breastfeeding.
Sources
- NHS, Cyclizine (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 18 August 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Cyclizine” (LM841), 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.