Can I take hyoscine hydrobromide while pregnant or breastfeeding?

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

In short

Pregnancy: Let your doctor know if you're pregnant or trying for a baby. Hyoscine hydrobromide is not usually recommended in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: You may be able to take hyoscine hydrobromide during breastfeeding, but ask a pharmacist or doctor first.

Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.

What this means for you

Pregnancy

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

Hyoscine hydrobromide in pregnancy

The NHS says

Let your doctor know if you're pregnant or trying for a baby. Hyoscine hydrobromide is not usually recommended in pregnancy.

It may still be possible to take it, though, if nothing else can treat your travel sickness and the benefits are greater than the risks.

In our words, from the NHS page Hyoscine hydrobromide (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 Risk Summary Eclamptic seizures have been reported in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia soon after injection of intravenous or intramuscular scopolamine. Avoid use of scopolamine transdermal system in patients with severe preeclampsia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) and Data] . Available data from observational studies and postmarketing reports with scopolamine use in pregnant women have not identified a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse fetal outcomes. In animal studies, there was no evidence of adverse developmental effects with intravenous administration of scopolamine hydrobromide revealed in rats. Embryotoxicity was observed in rabbits at intravenous doses producing plasma levels approximately 100 times the levels achieved in humans using a transdermal system. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Prescribing label, section “8.1 Pregnancy” (opening excerpt): Scopolamine (transdermal), Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Read the full section on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

This quote is from the transdermal formulation label.

More on hyoscine hydrobromide in pregnancy: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet (external site).

Hyoscine hydrobromide while breastfeeding

The NHS says

You may be able to take hyoscine hydrobromide during breastfeeding, but ask a pharmacist or doctor first. Your baby may need monitoring for side effects.

If you're breastfeeding while taking hyoscine hydrobromide and anything about your baby worries you, talk to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 (in the UK).

In our words, from the NHS page Hyoscine hydrobromide (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

No information is available on the use of scopolamine during breastfeeding. Use during labor appears to have a detrimental effect on newborn infants' nursing behavior. Long-term use of scopolamine might reduce milk production or milk letdown, but a single systemic or ophthalmic dose is not likely to interfere with breastfeeding. During long-term use, observe for signs of decreased lactation (e.g., insatiety, poor weight gain). 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 “Scopolamine” (LM596), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Scopolamine while breastfeeding.

The US prescribing label says

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Scopolamine is present in human milk. There are no available data on the effects of scopolamine on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for scopolamine transdermal system and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from scopolamine transdermal system or from the underlying maternal condition.

Prescribing label, section “8.2 Lactation”: Scopolamine (transdermal), Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

This quote is from the transdermal formulation label.

Other names

UK brand names (per the NHS): Kwells, Kwells Kids.

US name: scopolamine.

Sources

  1. NHS, Hyoscine hydrobromide (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 26 August 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  2. US drug label: Scopolamine (transdermal), Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC, human prescription drug, label effective 9 September 2026, set ID 2a6f9aaf-a70a-481f-a82b-1dcaaadc185b. 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 “Scopolamine” (LM596), 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. 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.