Pregnancy Breastfeeding And Fertility While Taking Tramadol

Tramadol and pregnancy

It is important to treat pain in pregnancy.

If you have severe pain, tramadol might be your best option. Your doctor can help you decide what's right for you and your baby. It's always best to only take tramadol for a few days if possible.

Tramadol is not known to cause problems with your baby's development, but more studies are required to confirm this.

If you take tramadol at the end of pregnancy your baby might have withdrawal symptoms when they're born, such as feeding problems or needing help with breathing. If this happens, your baby may be monitored in hospital for a few days after birth.

If you are taking tramadol regularly then discuss this with your doctor or midwife.

Tramadol and breastfeeding

If your baby is healthy, you may be able to take tramadol while breastfeeding. However, it's best to only take tramadol for a few days if possible. If you need to take it for longer, talk to your doctor who may recommend a different painkiller.

Tramadol passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and it's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby. However, it might cause your baby to be sleepy.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual, or gaining weight as you'd expect
• seems unusually sleepy
• seems unusually irritable
• is constipated or being sick

It's important to not share a bed with your baby while you're taking tramadol.

Call 999 if:

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring all the medicines you or your baby takes with you.

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Tramadol and fertility

There's no good evidence to suggest that taking tramadol will reduce fertility in men.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment.

Tell your doctor if you're:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding

Find out more about how taking tramadol can affect you and your baby on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

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