What are some medicines to avoid when breastfeeding?
As with any medicine be sure to check with your doctor before taking, even over the counter medicines.
Here is a partial list of some common and even over the counter medication and the reasons to avoid them
- Antibacterials – While some are safe others may cause diarrhea, thrush, rash, bloody stools, or other problems
- Antidepressants – drowsiness is the most common effect on your child. Especially avoid ones with phenelzine and tranylcypromine
- Antifungals – the ingredient ketoconazole poses risk for liver damage
- Antihistamines – may reduce your milk flow and cause drowsiness or fussiness in your child. Be esopcially careful to avoid cetirizine
- Anti-inflammatory – While ibuprofen is generally safe, many others are unsafe for children under one year
- Aspirin – can cause Reyes syndrome and bleeding
- Chemotherapy - very toxic to breastfeeding children, even in small amounts
- Decongestants – oral decongestants can cause fussiness in your child.
- Diuretics – can suppress your lactation
- Heart and blood pressure medication – Most seem safe but ones with acebutolol, atenolol, nadolol, sotalol, or timolol may accumulate to toxic levels in your babies blood
- Hormones – hormone contraceptives can interfere with lactation if taken in the first six weeks
- Narcotics – if given during labor they may inhibit lactation. Can cause drowsiness in nursing babies
- Pepto-Bismol - Salicylates ingredients can be toxic to nursing babies
- Tranquilizers – may make your child drowsy, avoid any with clozapine which can decrease white blood count.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of medicines to avoid while breastfeeding. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking anything while you are breastfeeding.
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