However, untoward effects to the infants have not been described. There is limited data available regarding the use of the medication in breast feeding women unfortunately. Fluticasone (L3): Nasal Steroid. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends kaolin-pectin products (such as Kaopectate) or loperamide products (such as Imodium) for nursing mothers with diarrhea. Benzocaine cough drops or lozenges (with or without menthol) are an excellent choice for cough relief in breastfeeding mothers. These include cetirizine (Zyrtec-L2), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert- L1), and fexofenadine (Allegra- L2). Overall, no we don't consider it safe to use tiger balm pain relief cream when breastfeeding. Using the right medications can help alleviate symptoms ranging from muscle aches to fevers and headaches, whether prescription or Over-the-Counter (OTC). The risk is lowest for healthy babies 6 months and older. Common Trade names: Flonase. Studies have shown sinus and nasal rinsing to be highly effective in relieving symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.4Saline irrigation is the safest possible treatment for rhinosinusitis in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Australian Drug Evaluation Committee "Prescribing medicines in pregnancy: an Australian categorisation of risk of drug use in pregnancy. Menthol/zinc oxide topical is a combination medication used for the temporary relief of pain and itching associated with diaper rash, fecal, and urinary incontinence, feeding tube, wound drainage, and minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. 3.Findlay, Jw, et al. Reaffirmed 2014. Oxymetazoline (L3): Nasal Decongestant. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. 11951200., doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.001. Each medication will vary in how strong the . Furthermore, researchers suspect that if there is an impact one way or the other, you'd need to ingest a lot of the substance. 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. 5. It is used to dry up secretions. It is definitely passed into human milk and some experts believe it is responsible for entraining the newborn brain to reset its circadian clock to that of the mother by communicating the time of day to the newborn. 2023 Franciscan Alliance, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Franciscan Health Facilities and Franciscan Alliance d/b/a Franciscan Physician Network comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. It is excreted into breast milk in low levels. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins Obstetrics. Metronidazole is an antimicrobial that has been used to treat infections. It does not have antihistamine properties. Don't use Vicks Vaporub, either, because it contains camphor. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is often used in cough, cold, sinus, and allergy formulations. Check with your doctor to find out if there is a prescription or OTC ointment that would be effective for you and safe for your baby. 92: Use of Psychiatric Medications During Pregnancy and Lactation. 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. They have given each medication a rating from Safest (L1) to Hazardous (L5). Or they might recommend breastfeeding when the medication is at a low level in your breast milk. The effect of orally administered melatonin on newborns is unknown, but no adverse reactions have been reported so far. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Toxicology Data Network. The non-sedating antihistamines mentioned above are still better choices. However, different drugs peak in breast milk at different times. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 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. However, we now know the full feeling is typically the result of inefficient milk transfer to the infant rather than increased production. Sudbury, Mass. Benzocaine (L2): Numbing Agent. There are no good studies of oxymetazoline safety during breastfeeding, however, very little of it is expected to reach the milk because it is locally administered and poorly absorbed. : Extensive evidence demonstrating no adverse effects on the infant, : Limited evidence without an increase in adverse effects on the infant. Sedation is an unwanted side effect when using it as an allergy medication, but can be an advantage to help with sleep. These can include sleepiness, rashes, diarrhea or fussiness. Look for products containing miconazole (Monistat) or clotrimazole (GyneLotrimin). 2. Fennel essential oil might cause allergic reactions after oral or topical use due to cross-reactivity with plants of the Apiaceae . Even high levels of maternal consumption resulted in only slightly increased levels in breastmilk. Sachs HC. (L3): Antihistamine. Common trade names: Tesselon Perles, Codeine prescription required (L3): Although no longer available over the counter, drugs containing codeine are used to treat pain and cough. If you know in advance, you can pump in addition to breastfeeding and store expressed milk. Many cough syrups that contain dextromethorphan contain alcohol and those specific ones should be avoided. Common trade names of combination products: Cheratussin AC, Tuzistra XR, Robitussin AC, Vanacof, Tylenol #3, Tylenol #4. When prolactin levels are reduced in a breastfeeding parent, milk supply typically reduces with it. The use of baby aspirin (81 mg per day) is unlikely to increase the risk of these problems. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that is commonly added to cold mixtures and nasal sprays for use in colds, flu, and congestion. Very little of this medication makes it into the milk (about 0.6% of the mothers dose). Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals (2019): United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. If you are taking a sedating medication, be sure to have support in caring for your infant. In addition, this drug is given directly to babies at much higher doses than this.2 Ibuprofen is the preferred analgesic in breastfeeding mothers. Vitamin C is often advertised for cold-fighting. Doxylamine (L3): This is another sedating antihistamine, similar to diphenhydramine, which is more commonly used for its sedative properties. Medicines to treat gas and bloating, such as Gas-X, Maalox, Mylanta, and others, are safe to take while breastfeeding. Since it is non toxic at appropriate dose and a tiny excretion into breast milk of active metabolite Menthol, a moderate consumption is believed compatible while breastfeeding. That way you'll know if the combination adds any risk. Thus, excessive zinc supplementation in breastfeeding mothers should be avoided for the first month postpartum. Sometimes your health care provider might recommend that you stop breastfeeding temporarily or permanently. This sheet is about exposure to metronidazole in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. See our discussion on caffeine for more information. Primarily intended for intranasal and topical use. This content does not have an English version. As a breastfeeding parent, there are many tactics you can take to ensure you're able to make more than enough breast milk for your baby. There are no good studies about how much of this drug gets into breast milk. Some exempted medicines, for example the complementary medicine, St John's Wort, may interact with other medicines and induce unexpected adverse effects in the mother and/or fetus.US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Menthol while Breastfeeding. Hale, Thomas Wright. If age appropriate, probiotics or yogurt with live cultures can be used to minimize GI upset (for you too mom!). Common trade names: Galzin, Airborne, Orazinc, Zicam, Vitamin C nutritional supplement (L1). However, note that some cultural traditions also use them to increase breast milk production. Check with your doctor if your cough is bothersome. 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. They are considered safe for nursing moms, though if your baby's stools are runnier than usual, you might want to try natural remedies instead of an OTC medicine. An excellent alternative would be a nasal decongestant like oxymetazoline (Afrin-L3 discussed below).Common trade names: Sudafed, Claritin-D. Phenylephrine (L3): Decongestant. AU Exempt: Medications exempted from pregnancy classification are not absolutely safe for use in pregnancy in all circumstances. These include frequent breastfeeding or pumping, using proper breastfeeding techniques, and eating certain foods, called galactagogues, that may boost breast milk production. Methyl Salicylate 10.0% NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Topical Analgesic . With regard to usage during breastfeeding, the manufacturer gives no recommendations. The medicine in a spray is less likely to be absorbed into your system than something you swallow, though it's still unclear how much of the ingredients in a spray will make it into your breast milk. Walsh P, Rothenberg SJ, Bang H. Safety of ibuprofen in infants younger than six months: A retrospective cohort study. (L3): Numbing Agent. This is given directly to infants in doses much greater than they would receive incidentally through the breastmilk. Common trade names: DM, Benylin, Delsym, Robitussin DM. Eating a diet with plenty of fiber, drinking lots of water and getting exercise every day can help you avoid constipation altogether. The poor efficacy of expectorants in general would suggest that they do not provide enough justification for use in breastfeeding mothers. Wondering about taking medications while breastfeeding? ). 39% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 47% reported a . 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