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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

Diclofenac During Pregnancy: Tablets, Gel and Voltaren

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

Diclofenac During Pregnancy: Tablets, Gel and Voltaren pregnancy safety guide image

Short answer

Diclofenac is an NSAID, so it is not a routine pregnancy pain medicine. Do not self-start tablets, injections, suppositories, gel, spray, patches, Voltaren, Voltarol, Cataflam or Dicloran while pregnant. NHS says diclofenac is not usually recommended in pregnancy unless a doctor prescribes it, and FDA warns that NSAIDs from about 20 weeks can cause fetal kidney problems and low amniotic fluid.

NSAID caution; ask before use

What is the safest way to think about this?

Diclofenac has different routes, but the pregnancy question still starts with the NSAID warning. FDA warns that NSAID use around 20 weeks or later can cause rare fetal kidney problems that may lead to low amniotic fluid. NHS and BUMPS both treat diclofenac as a doctor-led pregnancy decision, and MotherToBaby advises discussing benefits, risks, dose, timing and alternatives. Near the third trimester, NSAID decisions need extra caution because of fetal circulation and delivery-related concerns.

Checking a different medicine? The Pregnancy Medication Safety Hub collects all 154 SafeMama medicine guides, including the active-ingredient and dose questions worth raising with a pharmacist.

What is generally okay?

  • Call your prescriber or pharmacist if you use diclofenac and are pregnant, trying to conceive, breastfeeding, or past 20 weeks.
  • Ask whether acetaminophen, non-medicine pain care, physical therapy, a brace, heat or cold therapy, or another plan fits your condition.
  • Share the exact product, dose, route, dates used, trimester, pain diagnosis, kidney disease, blood pressure history, ulcers, blood thinners, aspirin use, asthma with NSAID reactions, and any other NSAIDs.

What should you avoid or double-check?

  • Avoid routine oral diclofenac tablets, capsules, injections, suppositories, Cataflam or Dicloran during pregnancy unless your clinician specifically recommends them.
  • Avoid diclofenac gel, spray, patches, Voltaren or Voltarol without review, especially at 20 weeks or later, over large skin areas, under wraps, or for repeated use.
  • Avoid duplicate NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, celecoxib, aspirin for pain, or multi-symptom cold products containing NSAIDs.

How SafeMama helps

SafeMama can flag diclofenac, diclofenac sodium, diclofenac potassium, Voltaren, Voltarol, Cataflam, Dicloran, topical gel, pain-relief tablets, patches, NSAID labels 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

Can you take diclofenac while pregnant?

Do not take diclofenac while pregnant unless your clinician specifically tells you to. Ask about the exact product, dose, route and trimester before using it.

Is diclofenac gel safer than diclofenac tablets?

Topical gel usually gives lower whole-body exposure than tablets, but it is still diclofenac. Ask before using Voltaren, Voltarol or generic gel, 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 used and estimated gestational age. One brief early exposure is handled differently from repeated use later in pregnancy.

Is diclofenac safe in the third trimester?

Avoid self-use in the third trimester. NSAIDs need clinician supervision because later pregnancy raises concern about fetal circulation, amniotic fluid and delivery-related risks.

Is Cataflam or Dicloran the same issue?

Yes. Cataflam and Dicloran are diclofenac brands in some markets. Treat them as NSAIDs and ask a clinician or pharmacist before use in pregnancy.

Can you use diclofenac while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a separate question. LactMed reports low milk levels, but ask your clinician or pharmacist if the baby is premature, medically fragile, or if you need high-dose or repeated use.

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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