Temporarily relieves pain associated with itching, sore throat. , vol. Common names: penicillins, cephalosporins, azithromycin, Short term courses of oral or injectable steroids are unlikely to affect breastfed infants. Benzocaine cough drops or lozenges (with or without menthol) are an excellent choice for cough relief in breastfeeding mothers. Walsh P, Rothenberg SJ, Bang H. Safety of ibuprofen in infants younger than six months: A retrospective cohort study. Comments: -There are no data on the excretion of topical menthol into human milk; oral consumption of menthol caused measurable quantities in human milk. Sedation is an unwanted side effect when using it as an allergy medication, but can be an advantage to help with sleep. Benzonatate is a very dangerous product when taken directly by a child. Further studies need to be considered in adults, however. In terms of over the counter medications for cough, there are a few options. There is virtually no risk to a breastfeeding infant when the mother uses this product nasally. If you are taking a sedating medication like diphenhydramine, be sure to have support in caring for your infant. However, if you need to take medication, you might have questions about how drugs may affect your breast milk. If you're taking a medication that could be harmful to your baby, your health care provider might recommend an alternative drug. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy , 7 (3), 314-322 https . This is given directly to infants in doses much greater than they would receive incidentally through the breastmilk. Watch breastfed infants for drowsiness or poor feeding. There doesn't appear to be risk to the infant when using menthol cough drops however. Approximately 0.063% of the maternal dose is transferred into breastmilk. However, we now know the full feeling is typically the result of inefficient milk transfer to the infant rather than increased production. They are heavily sedating and not recommended. Even high levels of maternal consumption resulted in only slightly increased levels in breastmilk.5 Common trade names: Airborne, Emergen-C, Cenolate, Celin, Cemill. Any amounts beyond this should be avoided. Can I take plan B while taking ciprofloxacin? Common trade names: Benadryl, Tylenol PM. Bengay Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Patch, Blue-Emu Maximum Strength Arthritis, Muscle & Joint Pain Relief. It may either induce a sleep-like pattern in humans, or be the result of sleep; the evidence is not clear. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that is commonly added to cold mixtures and nasal sprays for use in colds, flu, and congestion. However, different drugs peak in breast milk at different times. Risk to the infant is possible, and further evaluation must be taken to consider individual situations. If you need to stop breastfeeding permanently which is unusual ask your health care provider about weaning and to help you choose an infant formula. Current allergy and asthma reports. 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. 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). (L1): Acetaminophen is compatible with breastfeeding as only small amounts are secreted into breast milk. Pseudoephedrine over-the-counter, but kept in pharmacy (L3): Decongestant. Pediatrics. Accessed May 25, 2022. Common trade name: Kenalog shot, Nasacort. According to the AAP, health care providers should weigh the risks and benefits when prescribing medications to breastfeeding mothers by considering the following: Need for the drug by the mother. In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses what cough medications are safe to use while breastfeeding. Thank you. However, not all herbs are . Each medication will vary in how strong the . Do not exceed 3.2 grams/day. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. Specifically, menthol cough drops and those which contain the numbing agent benzocaine are unlikely to pass into the breast milk. Only minimal amounts of Menthol would be transferred into breast milk. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Ointments that contain capsaicin, menthol, benzocaine, or camphor (like Tiger Balm) can be harmful if enough transfers to your baby's skin or is inhaled. Topical menthol and breastfeeding warnings. (L3): Nasal Steroid. If you're not sure if a medication is safe while breastfeeding, pump, label and store expressed breast milk until you check with your health care provider. That way you won't be nursing when the medicine is at its peak in your bloodstream. Drs. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. L3 Probably Safe: No studies, but expert opinion suggesting safety. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Can breastfeeding mothers use tiger balm. 5. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Achilles N, Mosges R. Nasal saline irrigations for the symptoms of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis. Common names: penicillins, cephalosporins, azithromycin, Steroids prescription only (typically L2): Short term courses of oral or injectable steroids are unlikely to affect breastfed infants. The effect of orally administered melatonin on newborns is unknown, but no adverse reactions have been reported so far. Children's Health. Also, the benefit of continuing a medication for a chronic condition may outweigh any potential risks. Almost any drug that's present in the blood will transfer into breast milk to some extent. Common trade names: Robitussin, Mucinex. It is considered a medium-potency steroid. Short-term use (<2 weeks) of naproxen postpartum, or infrequent or occasional use should be compatible with breastfeeding. It is always a good idea to look into any medication you are considering using and weighting the risks and benefits before use. According to a study in 2014, honey was more efficacious in treating cough symptoms in children than placebo and diphenhydramine, but was less efficacious than dextromethorphan.3 Further studies need to be considered in adults, however. 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. Adverse effects to infants from breastfeeding are unlikely due to low relative dose and first-pass metabolism. The use of baby aspirin (81 mg per day) is unlikely to increase the risk of these problems. Using salt water to irrigate the nose and sinuses is a practice dating back thousands of years. 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. Common trade names: Robitussin, Mucinex. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in breastfeeding women. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. What is the Pitcher Method for storing breastmilk? This means that it turns on pain sensors in the skin, which then makes them less sensitive to other pain signals. (L3). Doses used for respiratory infections do not require any interruption to breastfeeding. Acetaminophen is commonly included in combination products. Watch breastfed infants for drowsiness or poor feeding. 2013;132:e796. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. 57% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 27% reported a negative effect. Our advanced topical formula provides relief for athletes after the toughest training sessions, and/or for individuals dealing with everyday muscle and joint pain. Increased breastfeeding, supplementation with lactogenic medications, herbs, or foods, and possibly additional pumping will help you build up your milk production again. Be sure to drink plenty of water to help keep chest and nasal secretions thin, too. It is excreted into breast milk in low levels. When it's applied to the skin, it acts as a counterirritant. Echinacea herbal supplement (L3). Also, it contains menthol which may inhibit your breast milk supply. These medications typically transfer into milk in acceptable amounts. 39% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 47% reported a . Metronidazole is an antimicrobial that has been used to treat infections. http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/medpreg.htm" (2010): "Product Information. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This is another sedating antihistamine, similar to diphenhydramine, which is more commonly used for its sedative properties. In infants exposed to doxylamine, there are reports of sedation, apnea, and paradoxical CNS stimulation. Receive a bonus guide on ways to manage your childs health just for subscribing. Looking for a quick list of safe medications while breastfeeding? For this reason, these herbs are often used for weaning. It relieves pain when applied to the skin. Honey (L3). Do not exceed 1 gram/day. It's not clear how much of these ingredients makes it into breast milk, so ask your doctor if you're considering using cough medicine. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that is commonly added to cold mixtures and nasal sprays for use in colds, flu, and congestion. 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). Zinc salts for cold treatment can have possible negative effects on breastfeeding infants during the first weeks of life. is an herb that has been shown to have significant antitussive effects when taken as an oral supplement.6 Although it is likely safe to take while breastfeeding, there have been no significant studies showing the effects of Echinacea consumption on breastfeeding infants or milk production. If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding or your breast milk production, consult with your doctor or a certified lactation consultant. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. These medicines are similar to diphenhydramine, but they have fewer studies about breast milk safety. It is extremely unlikely mometasone would be excreted in human milk in clinically relevant levels following topical or intranasal administration.There were no reported health concerns via milk.Common Trade names: Nasonex. Aspirin should not be the first choice for pain relief in breastfeeding mothers. That said, some anecdotal evidence indicates that these herbs can decrease milk supply. Always try to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Methyl Salicylate 10.0% NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Topical Analgesic . 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. However, the benefits of its unique pharmacology may outweigh the risks for women with certain conditions like rheumatic fever and after heart attacks. Exposure to medication in breast milk poses the greatest risk to premature babies, newborns, and babies who are medically unstable or have problems with kidney function. Oxymetazoline (L3): Nasal Decongestant. This article uses Dr. Hales Lactation Risk Categories. Common trade name: Unisom. Common Trade Name: Tylenol. In fact, consuming certain plants, herbs, and medications can decrease your supply. Ibuprofen is the preferred analgesic in breastfeeding mothers. In addition, this drug is given directly to babies at much higher doses than this.2 Ibuprofen is the preferred analgesic in breastfeeding mothers. 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. Comments: -Oral ingestion of menthol resulted in detectable levels in human milk; there are no data on the excretion of topical menthol into human milk. Common trade name: Bayer. With limited oral and systemic bioavailability, it is not likely that milk levels will be clinically relevant, even with rather high doses. ): Non-narcotic cough suppressant. Acetaminophen (L1): Acetaminophen is compatible with breastfeeding as only small amounts are secreted into breast milk. Benzocaine topical has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 37 ratings on Drugs.com. For assistance in the following languages: | | | Nederlands | Franais | Deutsche | | | | Italiano | | | | Pennsylvania Nederlands | Polskie | | Espaol | Pilipino | | Ting Vit. Australian Drug Evaluation Committee "Prescribing medicines in pregnancy: an Australian categorisation of risk of drug use in pregnancy. Common trade names of combination products: R, Robitussin AC, Vanacof, Tylenol #3, Tylenol #4, (L2): Antihistamine. Common trade names: Aller-Chlor, C.P.M., Chlor-Phen, Chlor-Trimeton Allergy, Teldrin HBP. Then, you can read about specific drugs below! Temporarily relieves pain associated with itching, sore throat. Make sure to avoid alcohol containing products however. Can I use topical menthol while breastfeeding? He graduated from the University At Buffalo with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2010. Can you use menthol while breastfeeding? Common trade names: Cepacol. However, doses of zinc in cold remedies can be in excess of what is safe. It also blocks the release of oxytocin, which results in a decrease of circulating oxytocin.