Can I take nicorandil while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about nicorandil.
In short
Pregnancy: Nicorandil is not recommended in pregnancy, because there isn't enough information on whether it could affect your baby.
Breastfeeding: Let your doctor know if you're breastfeeding.
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.
What this means for you
Pregnancy
- Let your doctor know if you're pregnant or planning to be.
- They may suggest changing to a different medicine, or stopping nicorandil while you're pregnant.
Breastfeeding
- Nicorandil is not usually recommended during breastfeeding, because there isn't enough information on whether it could affect your baby.
- However, your doctor may recommend nicorandil if the benefits to you are greater than the risks to your baby, or they may suggest trying another medicine while you breastfeed.
When to get help
- If you're breastfeeding while taking nicorandil and anything about your baby worries you, talk 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
Nicorandil in pregnancy
The NHS says
Nicorandil is not recommended in pregnancy, because there isn't enough information on whether it could affect your baby.
Let your doctor know if you're pregnant or planning to be. They may suggest changing to a different medicine, or stopping nicorandil while you're pregnant.
In our words, from the NHS page Nicorandil (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
Nicorandil while breastfeeding
The NHS says
Let your doctor know if you're breastfeeding.
Nicorandil is not usually recommended during breastfeeding, because there isn't enough information on whether it could affect your baby.
However, your doctor may recommend nicorandil if the benefits to you are greater than the risks to your baby, or they may suggest trying another medicine while you breastfeed.
If you're breastfeeding while taking nicorandil 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 Nicorandil (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
Sources
- NHS, Nicorandil (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 4 August 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Sources checked 26 September 2026. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.