Diclofenac Safety During Lactation

Clinical Guideline Recommendations

The Association of Anaesthetists recommends diclofenac as an analgesic compatible with breastfeeding in their 2020 guideline on anesthesia and sedation in lactating women 1
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2025 recommendations confirm that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including diclofenac, are safe during lactation, with the most reassuring data available for ibuprofen followed by diclofenac 2
The Association of Anaesthetists specifically recommends the use of multimodal analgesia with NSAIDs (including diclofenac) as a preferable alternative to opioids in lactating women 1

The American Association of Anaesthetists notes that diclofenac has a favorable safety profile compared to opioids, which can cause sedation in the infant 1
The use of diclofenac allows the mother to maintain her ability to care for the baby without significant adverse effects 1

The Association of Anaesthetists recommends using the effective lowest dose for the shortest possible duration, as with all analgesics during lactation 1
It is not necessary to express and discard breast milk after using diclofenac 1

Additional caution is advised in infants under 6 weeks of age (corrected for gestational age) due to immature hepatic and renal function, although this applies more to opioids than NSAIDs 1
Monitoring the infant for any unusual changes in behavior is recommended, although adverse effects with diclofenac are extremely rare 1

Ibuprofen is considered equally safe, with the most extensive safety data available 2
Paracetamol (acetaminofen) is also a safe alternative, as recommended by the Association of Anaesthetists 1