Can you take procaine while breastfeeding?
What LactMed says
The National Library of Medicine’s own summary, quoted in full. We do not write a verdict of our own on this question, and we do not compress theirs into a label.
The term "Novocaine" (an old procaine brand name) is often equated to local anesthetic. The exact identity of any local anesthetic should be verified, especially since procaine is no longer marketed in in the US as a single ingredient product. No information is available on the use of procaine during breastfeeding. Based on the short half-life of procaine in the plasma and the low excretion of other local anesthetics into breastmilk, a single dose of procaine during breastfeeding is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant. However, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Quoted from Procaine — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised December 15, 2024.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of procaine. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much procaine gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take procaine while breastfeeding?
The term "Novocaine" (an old procaine brand name) is often equated to local anesthetic. The full record is quoted on this page, and the decision is one to make with the person who prescribed it — LactMed itself states it is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What can I take instead of procaine while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Lidocaine, Ropivacaine as alternate drugs to consider. That is the database's own list for this drug — whether any of them suits you depends on what you are treating.
Does procaine pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for procaine are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking procaine?
LactMed does not frame its records that way — it reports measured drug levels in milk and what has been observed in breastfed infants, which is what this page quotes. "Pump and dump" advice for a specific drug and dose should come from your clinician or a pharmacist, not from a general rule.
More on procaine
LactMed states that the information it presents is not a substitute for professional judgement, and that you should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Nothing on this page is medical advice.