The NHS has updated its guidance on medicines and breastfeeding, warning that women taking certain everyday medications may be advised to stop. The advice, last reviewed on May 7, 2026, lists five common medicines that are not recommended while breastfeeding.
The health service urges anyone currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed to take note, as they may be told to stop. The NHS stresses that it is always best to tell a GP, health visitor, dentist, pharmacist or midwife when discussing medicines, because small amounts of any medicine taken may pass through breast milk to the baby. Generally, the amounts are very low, and very few medicines are unsafe while breastfeeding.
Medicines to avoid
The common medications listed by the NHS include some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops, aspirin for pain relief, herbal remedies, decongestants in tablet, liquid or powder form, and codeine. The NHS advises checking with a GP or pharmacist before using nasal decongestants, and notes that not enough is known about herbal remedies to guarantee they are safe.
Anyone taking any of these medicines while breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, and who has not yet told a healthcare professional, should let them know as soon as possible. The NHS stresses that people should not stop taking prescribed medicines without talking to their GP.
Safe options and support
Medicines that can be taken while breastfeeding include asthma inhalers, the painkiller paracetamol (with a check if combined with other medicines), and most antibiotics. The NHS explains it is usually safe to have dental treatment, local anaesthetic, routine vaccinations (including MMR, tetanus, flu and COVID-19) and most operations while breastfeeding. If an NSAID is recommended for swelling or fever, ibuprofen is generally regarded as the safest choice.
Some contraceptives, cold remedies and medicines for postnatal depression can be used while breastfeeding, but not all are suitable, so it is always best to check with a healthcare professional. The NHS also lists support resources, including the National Breastfeeding Helpline (0300 100 0212), La Leche League National Helpline Callback Service (0345 120 2918), National Childbirth Trust (0300 330 0700), and The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti (0300 456 2421). For more information, women are urged to speak to their midwife, health visitor, pharmacist or GP, and to check the drug factsheets on The Breastfeeding Network website and the NHS Medicines A to Z pages.
