Can I take diclofenac while pregnant or breastfeeding?

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use diclofenac at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.

Drug Facts label: Diclofenac (topical), YYBA CORP. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Pregnancy Risk Summary Use of NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Because of these risks, limit dose and duration of diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation, and avoid diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets use at about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy ( see WARNINGS ; Fetal Toxicity ). Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus Use of NSAIDs, including diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets, at about 30 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment Use of NSAIDs at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy has been associated with cases of fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases, neonatal renal impairment.

Prescribing label, section “Pregnancy” (opening excerpt): Diclofenac Sodium (oral), A-S Medication Solutions. Read the full section on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Data on excretion of diclofenac into milk are poor, but the drug has a short half-life and little glucuronide metabolite formation. Levels in milk appear to be quite low. Most reviewers consider diclofenac to be acceptable during breastfeeding.[1-5] Other agents having more published information may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.[6]

Maternal use of diclofenac topical gel or eye drops would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Diclofenac” (LM89), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Diclofenac while breastfeeding.

Nursing Mothers Risk Summary Based on available data, diclofenac may be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the diclofenac sodium extended-release tablets or from the underlying maternal condition. Data One woman treated orally with a diclofenac salt, 150 mg/day, had a milk diclofenac level of 100 mcg/L, equivalent to an infant dose of about 0.03 mg/kg/day. Diclofenac was not detectable in breast milk in 12 women using diclofenac (after either 100 mg/day orally for 7 days or a single 50 mg intramuscular dose administered in the immediate postpartum period).

Prescribing label, section “Nursing Mothers”: Diclofenac Sodium (oral), A-S Medication Solutions. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.