Can I take naproxen while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about naproxen.
In short
Pregnancy: Avoid naproxen while you're pregnant, unless a doctor or pharmacist advises you to take it.
Breastfeeding: If you're breastfeeding, let your doctor or pharmacist know before you take naproxen.
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.
What this means for you
Pregnancy
- If you're pregnant, paracetamol is usually the best painkiller to take.
Breastfeeding
- Naproxen is not usually used during breastfeeding, as small amounts of the medicine can get into your breast milk.
- Other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are safer to take while breastfeeding.
- However, your doctor may recommend naproxen if the benefits for you are greater than any possible risks for your baby.
- Side effects in breastfed babies from medicines their mother takes are rare, but speak to a healthcare professional if you're worried about your baby.
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
Naproxen in pregnancy
The NHS says
Avoid naproxen while you're pregnant, unless a doctor or pharmacist advises you to take it.
If you're pregnant, paracetamol is usually the best painkiller to take.
In our words, from the NHS page Naproxen (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
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use naproxen sodium 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: Naproxen Sodium (oral), TARGET Corporation. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Use of NSAIDs, including naproxen sodium, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment.
Prescribing label, section “8.1 Pregnancy” (opening excerpt): Naproxen Sodium (oral), Bryant Ranch Prepack. Read the full section on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
More on naproxen in pregnancy: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet (external site).
Naproxen while breastfeeding
The NHS says
If you're breastfeeding, let your doctor or pharmacist know before you take naproxen.
Naproxen is not usually used during breastfeeding, as small amounts of the medicine can get into your breast milk.
Other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, are safer to take while breastfeeding.
However, your doctor may recommend naproxen if the benefits for you are greater than any possible risks for your baby.
Side effects in breastfed babies from medicines their mother takes are rare, but speak to a healthcare professional if you're worried about your baby.
In our words, from the NHS page Naproxen (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 levels of naproxen in breastmilk are low and adverse effects in breastfed infants are apparently uncommon. However, because of naproxen’s long half-life and reported serious adverse reaction in a breastfed neonate, other agents may be preferred while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Naproxen” (LM195), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Naproxen while breastfeeding.
The US prescribing label says
8.2 Lactation Risk Summary The naproxen anion has been found in the milk of lactating women at a concentration equivalent to approximately 1% of maximum naproxen concentration in plasma. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for naproxen sodium and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the naproxen sodium or from the underlying maternal condition.
Prescribing label, section “8.2 Lactation”: Naproxen Sodium (oral), Bryant Ranch Prepack. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
Sources
- NHS, Naproxen (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 25 June 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US drug label: Naproxen Sodium (oral), TARGET Corporation, human otc drug, label effective 20 August 2026, set ID 36ce5cd9-8c61-4ed9-b840-c29ad98bdfc5. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
- US drug label: Naproxen Sodium (oral), Bryant Ranch Prepack, human prescription drug, label effective 26 August 2026, set ID f6f4a670-235e-4235-84a8-a74dc8ca5586. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Naproxen” (LM195), 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.