Pregnancy & medicines
Some medicines are not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always check with a healthcare professional before taking anything.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 1 source
At a glance
- Not all medicines are safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Check with a pharmacist, GP or midwife before taking anything — and do not stop prescribed medicine without advice.
On this page (2 sections)
Overview
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, some medicines are not suitable, while others are important to continue. It is not always obvious which is which [1].
What to do
Always check with a pharmacist, GP or midwife before taking any medicine — including ones you can buy — if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice [1].
Sources
- NHS. Medicines A to Z (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
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