Skip to main content

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking lactulose

Lactulose and pregnancy

Lactulose can be taken during pregnancy and is not harmful to your baby.

Lactulose and breastfeeding

If your doctor or midwife says your baby is healthy, it's OK to take lactulose while you are breastfeeding.

Lactulose does not pass into breast milk so it's very unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby. However, it is always better to treat constipation without taking a medicine first.

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or has diarrhoea, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor.

Lactulose and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that taking lactulose should cause any fertility problems in either men or women.

For more information about how laxatives can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, visit the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

Page last reviewed: 4 March 2022
Next review due: 4 March 2025