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Disclaimer: This guide is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always confirm medicine, supplement and product decisions with your obstetrician, midwife, pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Medication

Is Diclofenac Safe During Pregnancy?

Published 2026-07-18 | By SafeMama Editorial Team | Editorial policy

Is Diclofenac Safe During Pregnancy? pregnancy safety guide image

Short answer

Diclofenac is an NSAID, so it is not a routine pregnancy pain medicine. Avoid self-starting it, and avoid NSAID use at 20 weeks or later unless your clinician specifically directs it.

NSAID caution; ask before use

What is the safest way to think about this?

FDA warns that NSAIDs around 20 weeks or later can cause rare fetal kidney problems that may lead to low amniotic fluid. MotherToBaby and NHS guidance both frame diclofenac as a clinician-supervised pregnancy decision, especially in the second and third trimesters.

What is generally okay?

  • Call your prescriber if you take diclofenac and are pregnant, trying to conceive, or past 20 weeks.
  • Ask whether acetaminophen, non-medicine pain care, physical therapy, or another plan fits your condition.
  • Tell your clinician about kidney disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, blood thinners, asthma with NSAID reactions, or other NSAIDs.

What should you avoid or double-check?

  • Avoid routine oral diclofenac during pregnancy unless your clinician specifically recommends it.
  • Avoid NSAIDs at 20 weeks or later without clinician direction.
  • Avoid combining diclofenac with ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, aspirin, or multi-symptom cold products containing NSAIDs.

How SafeMama helps

SafeMama can flag diclofenac, Voltaren, NSAID labels, topical gel, pain-relief tablets, and combination products so users know when a pharmacist or clinician should review the exact exposure.

Open the SafeMama app, scan the barcode or search the ingredient, then use the result as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Is Voltaren gel different from diclofenac tablets?

Yes. Topical gel and oral tablets have different exposure levels, but both should be reviewed in pregnancy, especially after 20 weeks.

What if I used diclofenac before knowing I was pregnant?

Do not panic. Contact your clinician with the product type, dose, dates, and estimated gestational age.

Is diclofenac the same class as ibuprofen?

Yes. Diclofenac and ibuprofen are NSAIDs, so the FDA pregnancy warning is relevant to both.

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