Is Lidocaine patches and creams safe during pregnancy?
Limited pregnancy data but no signal of birth defects so far; check with your clinician. Breastfeeding is unlikely to be affected.
What the sources say
MotherToBaby says a study of 293 women exposed to lidocaine in the first four months found no higher chance of birth defects, and case reports and animal studies don't suggest a significant increase; miscarriage, preterm birth and low birth weight haven't been studied. Data aren't specific to skin patches, so ask your clinician. Lidocaine enters breast milk in small amounts and is poorly absorbed by the baby, so problems are unlikely.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
4% lidocaine, aspercreme lidocaine, icy hot lidocaine, lidocaine, lidocaine cream, lidocaine patch, lidoderm, numbing patch, salonpas lidocaine
Sources
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.