Can I take dicycloverine (dicyclomine) while pregnant or breastfeeding?

There is no NHS Medicines A–Z page for dicycloverine (dicyclomine). Here is what the US drug label says.

In short

Pregnancy: There isn't a simple UK NHS summary for this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Breastfeeding: There isn't a simple UK NHS summary for this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.

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

Dicycloverine (dicyclomine) in pregnancy

The US drug label says

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B Adequate and well-controlled studies have not been conducted with dicyclomine hydrochloride in pregnant women at the recommended doses of 80 to 160 mg/day. However, epidemiologic studies did not show an increased risk of structural malformations among babies born to women who took products containing dicyclomine hydrochloride at doses up to 40 mg/day during the first trimester of pregnancy. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 33 times the maximum recommended human dose based on 160 mg/day (3 mg/kg) and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to dicyclomine. 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”: dicyclomine hydrochloride (oral), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Dicycloverine (dicyclomine) while breastfeeding

LactMed says

Dicyclomine has not been well studied during breastfeeding. However, one possible case of apnea has been reported in a breastfed infant that is similar to reactions that have occurred in infants given the drug directly.[1] Dicyclomine should not be used during lactation.

“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Dicyclomine” (LM570), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Dicyclomine while breastfeeding.

What these words mean

contraindicated
there is a reason not to use this medicine, because it may be harmful

Definitions adapted from the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms (National Cancer Institute).

The US prescribing label says

Nursing Mothers Dicyclomine hydrochloride is contraindicated in women who are breastfeeding. Dicyclomine hydrochloride is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breast-fed infants from dicyclomine hydrochloride, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] .

Prescribing label, section “Nursing Mothers”: dicyclomine hydrochloride (oral), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Other names

Indian combination brands that include dicycloverine (dicyclomine): Meftal Spas, Cyclopam.

US name: dicyclomine.

Sources

  1. US drug label: dicyclomine hydrochloride (oral), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., human prescription drug, label effective 10 September 2026, set ID 6d7e73b0-3f7e-462f-92eb-cc82919c8095. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
  2. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Dicyclomine” (LM570), 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.

Sources checked 26 September 2026. How we source and check every page.

Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.