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Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking phenoxymethylpenicillin

Phenoxymethylpenicillin and pregnancy

It's safe to take phenoxymethylpenicillin during pregnancy.

Phenoxymethylpenicillin and breastfeeding

It's OK to take phenoxymethylpenicillin while breastfeeding.

Evidence shows that only tiny amounts of phenoxymethylpenicillin get into breast milk and it would not be expected to cause any side effects in your baby.

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, has sickness or diarrhoea, oral thrush (mouth thrush) or a skin rash, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.

Phenoxymethylpenicillin and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that taking phenoxymethylpenicillin reduces fertility in either men or women.

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

Page last reviewed: 26 January 2022
Next review due: 26 January 2025