Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is often used in cough, cold, sinus, and allergy formulations. is an herb that has been shown to have significant antitussive effects when taken as an oral supplement. There are no formal studies proving whether or not these herbs impact breast milk supply or the exact quantity needed for each herb to have a negative impact on breastfeeding. Primarily intended for intranasal and topical use. For others, frequent nursing or pumping in addition to galactagogues will be needed to build back a robust milk supply that will meet the nutritional needs of their baby. Or they might recommend breastfeeding when the medication is at a low level in your breast milk. If you're breastfeeding, you're giving your baby a healthy start. Common Trade names: Sinus Rinse, Simply Saline, Ocean. Aspirin (L2): Although aspirin is secreted into breast milk in small quantities, it has the potential to cause bleeding problems in infants and increases the risk of Reye syndrome (liver damage associated with using aspirin to treat certain viral illnesses in children). Antihistamines are easily expressed in breast milk, and can cause sedation, fussiness, excessive crying, and sleep disturbances in your baby. Acetaminophen is commonly included in combination products. LactMed. Can breastfeeding mothers use tiger balm. Oxymetazoline should only be used briefly, no more than 3 days, to avoid rebound congestion. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. Call 877-285-6920; TTY: 877-893-8199. 57% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 27% reported a negative effect. It may either induce a sleep-like pattern in humans, or be the result of sleep; the evidence is not clear. Due to its low oral absorption after application, maternal blood concentrations are probably too low to produce any significant clinical effects in the breastfed infant. It relieves pain when applied to the skin. Saline irrigation is the safest possible treatment for rhinosinusitis in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Oxymetazoline (L3): Nasal Decongestant. Commonly used for topical analgesics and sore throat relief. Common trade name: Unisom. We want our breastfeeding mothers equipped with the proper knowledge to combat any ailments they could face--while keeping baby safe. Pseudoephedrine and Triprolidine in Plasma and Breast Milk of Nursing Mothers.. Common trade names: Cepacol. Eating a diet with plenty of fiber, drinking lots of water and getting exercise every day can help you avoid constipation altogether. The effect of orally administered melatonin on newborns is unknown, but no adverse reactions have been reported so far. Looking for a quick list of safe medications while breastfeeding? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice before using any of these products. 6, 1984, pp. TGA. Animal studies are not available. Temporarily relieves pain associated with itching, sore throat. The safest NSAID to take while nursing is ibuprofen (sold as Advil and Motrin) because the amount transferred to your baby is very low. COVID-19 Update: Learn about precautions - including visitor guidelines - in place at our hospitals for your safety, and for our patients and caregivers. You might think that pain relievers in cream or ointment form would be safe to use, but some can prove toxic to your baby. It is not known whether enough aspirin passes to your baby through breast milk for Reye's syndrome to be a risk, but it's best to avoid it. This decongestant comes in several formulations that last between 4 and 12 hours. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy , 7 (3), 314-322 https . 2008;111:1001. This content does not have an Arabic version. Triamcinolone (L3): Nasal Steroid. Talk to your health care provider before taking this type of birth control while breastfeeding. Oxymetazoline should only be used briefly, no more than 3 days, to avoid rebound congestion. Dr. Brian Staiger is a licensed pharmacist in New York State and the founder of the Q+A website PharmacistAnswers.com. Sage, parsley, peppermint, and menthol. 3 Experts Weigh In, questions or concerns about breastfeeding, health care providers, other lactation experts, and various cultural traditions recommended, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no formal studies proving whether or not these herbs impact breast milk supply. 6. The heavier duty medicines that actually block acid production, called H2 blockers, contain ingredients that can be concentrated in your breast milk, so don't take them without checking with your doctor. Commonly used for topical analgesics and sore throat relief. Surprisingly, aspirin is an ingredient in such innocuous products as Alka-Seltzer. Still, a few medications aren't safe to take while breastfeeding. Sage, parsley, peppermint, and menthol have all been noted to decrease milk supply in breastfeeding people who consume large quantities of each. If you are taking a sedating medication, be sure to have support in caring for your infant. With limited oral and systemic bioavailability, it is not likely that milk levels will be clinically relevant, even with rather high doses. Many herbs are naturally lactogenic foods that may provide you with the boost in breast milk production you're looking for. Accessed June 26, 2018. These medications typically transfer into milk in acceptable amounts. An excellent alternative would be a nasal decongestant like oxymetazoline (Afrin-L3 discussed below).Common trade names: Sudafed, Claritin-D. (L3): Decongestant. Most antihistamines have a sedating quality that even affects adults, so it's best to avoid them while nursing. In modern pharmacies, saline is available in nasal sprays and nasal rinses, as well as mineral packets for home reconstitution. He has been featured in numerous publications including the Huffington Post as well as a variety of health and pharmacy-related blogs. Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals (2019): United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Diclofenac sodium topical solution is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee (s). Learn all about the food, herbs, and medications that can decrease your breast milk supply. Common trade names: DM, Benylin, Delsym, Robitussin DM. It is also not absorbed into the mother's system, so wouldn't be transmitted in breast milk. Keep in mind that coughing is your body's way of getting rid of mucus, and sometimes suppressing it is not the way to go. Common trade names: Cepacol. (L1). (L3): Antihistamine. That way you won't be nursing when the medicine is at its peak in your bloodstream. Menthol (L3): Numbing Agent. In addition, this drug is given directly to babies at much higher doses than this. Ibuprofen (L1): The transfer of ibuprofen in breast milk is well studied as it is a common choice for postpartum pain. Benzocaine (L2): Numbing Agent. , vol. If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding or your breast milk production, consult with your doctor or a certified lactation consultant. Topical antifungal cream and pessaries containing clotrimazole, miconazole and nystatin are safe to use while breastfeeding. Pseudoephedrine commonly appears in combination products. Using the right medications can help alleviate symptoms ranging from muscle aches to fevers and headaches, whether prescription or Over-the-Counter (OTC). Receive a bonus guide on ways to manage your childs health just for subscribing. Dextromethorphan is the most commonly used over the counter cough suppressant. In general, if the mother is lethargic she should wait to breastfeed until she is alert, at which point codeine levels would be lower. If your supply has dropped, and you realize you've taken one of the medications listed here, ask your doctor if you can switch to an alternative treatment for your medical issue. These medicines are similar to diphenhydramine, but they have fewer studies about breast milk safety. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that is commonly added to cold mixtures and nasal sprays for use in colds, flu, and congestion. So, it isn't recommended for breastfeeding parents to take chasteberry supplements. Honey should never be consumed by infants. Try our 1-page flyer. It is secreted into the breastmilk, but apparently not in quantities that would harm an infant. Read the label carefully to find out what symptoms the medicine treats, and ask the pharmacist if you have any questions. If you are taking a sedating medication, be sure to have support in caring for your infant. Then use the stored breast milk once you begin taking the drug. (L3). Menthol topical is also known as: ActivICE, ActivOn Arthritis, Aspercreme Max No Mess Roll-On, Aspercreme Pain Relieving Heat Gel, BENGAY Vanishing Scent, Bengay Pain Relief+Massage, Bengay Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Patch, Biofreeze, Blue Gel, Blue-Emu Maximum Strength Arthritis, Muscle & Joint Pain Relief, Deep Freeze Cold Gel, Flanax Cough Lozenges, Flexall, Gold Bond, Halls Mentho-Lyptus Drops, Halls Naturals, Happinose, Icy Hot Extra Strength, Luden's Honey Lemon Throat Drops, Luden's Honey Licorice Throat Drops, Mineral Ice, Nostroline, Robitussin Cough Drop, Strepsils Sore Throat and Blocked Nose, Vicks Cough Drops, The manufacturer makes no recommendation regarding use during pregnancy.AU TGA pregnancy category: ExemptUS FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned. Some lactating people are able to recover quickly from this decrease, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Benzocaine cough drops or lozenges (with or without menthol) are an excellent choice for cough relief in breastfeeding mothers. Can I use hydrocortisone and Mederma on the spots now or am I able to combine Hi. L4 Possibly Hazardous: Positive evidence or expert opinion of risk to the infant or milk production. However, we now know the full feeling is typically the result of inefficient milk transfer to the infant rather than increased production. Can you use menthol while breastfeeding? 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). It can help to reduce chest congestion and excess mucus. Specifically, menthol cough drops and those which contain the numbing agent benzocaine are unlikely to pass into the breast milk. -Oral ingestion of menthol resulted in detectable levels in human milk; there are no data on the excretion of topical menthol into human milk. Adverse effects to infants from breastfeeding are unlikely due to low relative dose and first-pass metabolism. Short-term use (<2 weeks) of naproxen postpartum, or infrequent or occasional use should be compatible with breastfeeding. : Jones and Bartlett Learning; 2016. In fact, consuming certain plants, herbs, and medications can decrease your supply. Children's Health. 5th ed. He's answered thousands of medication and pharmacy-related questions and he's ready to answer yours! Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. -If used on the nipples, use after nursing and wipe off before the next . That's because you produce a limited volume of breast milk during this time. Although its efficacy in treating colds has not been supported, it likely is not harmful to supplement while breastfeeding. Common trade names: Neofrin, Neosynephrine, Vicks Sinex Nasal. Although the levels are low in breastmilk, this medication can cause sedation and therefore is not ideal in breastfeeding mothers. Thus, excessive zinc supplementation in breastfeeding mothers should be avoided for the first month postpartum. In fact, in some traditions, it is used to boost breast milk supply. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is often used in cough, cold, sinus, and allergy formulations. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies or case reports in breastfeeding women. There are many non-sedating antihistamines on the market, which are likely a better choice. Do not exceed 1 gram/day. Most medications are safe to take while breastfeeding. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. What cough medicine would be ok for my breast feeding wife to use? Primarily intended for intranasal and topical use. Doses used for respiratory infections do not require any interruption to breastfeeding. This content does not have an English version. Like dextromethorphan, there is a lack of data available regarding use in breast feeding woman. For example, Advil Cold and Sinus contains ibuprofen to help alleviate a sinus headache, but it also contains pseudoephedrine, which you may not want to take if you're nursing. If you're breastfeeding and plan to take medication, check with your health care provider. 11th ed. Safe. Although the levels are low in breastmilk, this medication can cause sedation and therefore is not ideal in breastfeeding mothers. Common trade names: Benadryl, Tylenol PM. Drug therapy and breastfeeding. It also blocks the release of oxytocin, which results in a decrease of circulating oxytocin. Most lozenges with menthol are safe for nursing moms because very little makes it into the milk supply. Some brand [] Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer; 2017. http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com/. Here's what you need to know. Pseudoephedrine can decrease milk production and may cause irritability in nursing babies, and the effect of phenylephrine on breast milk is unknown. A comparison of topical menthol to ice on pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary force during delayed onset muscle soreness. However, if you need to take medication, you might have questions about how drugs may affect your breast milk. L3 Probably Safe: No studies, but expert opinion suggesting safety. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. However, generally, avoiding or limiting the ingestion of things known to reduce breast milk production is a good place to start. There is limited data available regarding the use of the medication in breast feeding women unfortunately. Kaunitz AM. Specifically, menthol cough drops and those which contain the numbing agent benzocaine are unlikely to pass into the breast milk. 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