Yes. Yeast infections are common in nursing moms. Pseudoephedrine commonly appears in combination products. A comparison of topical menthol to ice on pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary force during delayed onset muscle soreness. But it can also contain some unwelcome added ingredients if you're taking medicine for a cold or other ailment. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Zinc salts for cold treatment can have possible negative effects on breastfeeding infants during the first weeks of life. The two most common OTC decongestants are pseudoephedrine (found in Sudafed), and phenylephrine (ingredient in Sudafed PE and other brands). Codeine can cause respiratory depression when taken in high doses. Many herbs are naturally lactogenic foods that may provide you with the boost in breast milk production you're looking for. Then, you can read about specific drugs below! You can also discuss possible allergy triggers with your doctor. ). Contraceptives, oral, combined. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is often used in cough, cold, sinus, and allergy formulations. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that is commonly added to cold mixtures and nasal sprays for use in colds, flu, and congestion. There are minimal pharmacokinetic data on this product, and no data on transfer to human milk. Fennel essential oil might cause allergic reactions after oral or topical use due to cross-reactivity with plants of the Apiaceae . Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is often used in cough, cold, sinus, and allergy formulations. Accessed May 25, 2022. Using the right medications can help alleviate symptoms ranging from muscle aches to fevers and headaches, whether prescription or Over-the-Counter (OTC). Levels in milk have not been reported, but experiments have shown that it has poor oral absorption in infants. Reaffirmed 2014. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. (Allegra- L2). Cough Medications Considered Safe While Breastfeeding. Caution should be used with this product as it may reduce milk production in some mothers in late stage lactation (mothers breastfeeding infants >8 months old). Therapeutic Goods Administration. Additionally, note that research shows that menthol drops improve nipple fissures, and applying menthol to soothe your nipples is unlikely to negatively impact your breast milk supply. Springer Publishing Company, 2021.
15. Common trade names: Neofrin, Neosynephrine, Vicks Sinex Nasal. Common trade names: Benadryl, Tylenol PM. Toxicology Data Network. Potential effects of the drug on milk production. It is used to dry up secretions. Although the levels are low in breastmilk, this medication can cause sedation and therefore is not ideal in breastfeeding mothers. Common Trade Name: Tylenol. Doses of commonly marketed zinc supplements frequently range from 8-25 mg taken every 3-4 hours. An excellent alternative would be a nasal decongestant like oxymetazoline (Afrin-L3 discussed below). 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. Metronidazole has been used to treat some types of vaginal infections. Studies have shown sinus and nasal rinsing to be highly effective in relieving symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis. Walsh P, Rothenberg SJ, Bang H. Safety of ibuprofen in infants younger than six months: A retrospective cohort study. 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. Short-term use (<2 weeks) of naproxen postpartum, or infrequent or occasional use should be compatible with breastfeeding. Naproxen is less well studied than the other drugs in the same class. Still, a few medications aren't safe to take while breastfeeding. When you take any medicine, watch for physical or behavioral changes in your baby. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Chasteberry, the dried fruit of the chaste tree, is native to the Mediterranean. Common trade names: Tesselon Perles. Sign-up to get Mayo Clinics trusted health content sent to your email. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Topical application of zinc oxide (like sunscreen) is not absorbed, and is safe when breastfeedin. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant and guaifenesin is the ingredient in cough medicine that loosens mucus in the chest. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is often used in cough, cold, sinus, and allergy formulations. Common trade name: Kenalog shot, Nasacort. Approximately 0.063% of the maternal dose is transferred into breastmilk. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. Common trade names of combination products: Cheratussin AC, Tuzistra XR, Robitussin AC, Vanacof, Tylenol #3, Tylenol #4. The use of baby aspirin (81 mg per day) is unlikely to increase the risk of these problems. Fluticasone (L3): Nasal Steroid. 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. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer; 2017. http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com/. However, while researchers discourage frequent drinking while breastfeeding, they also note that "occasional drinking while breastfeeding has not been convincingly shown to adversely affect nursing infants." Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Watch breastfed infants for drowsiness or poor feeding. However, this advice was misguided, particularly if you drink alcohol regularly or engage in binge drinking. 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. As a result, every medication must be considered separately. It's also recommended to wait at least two hours after drinking before nursing. Each medication will vary in how strong the . So, you don't need to avoid each of these herbs altogether, just be mindful of dishes that contain large amounts. Pseudoephedrine over-the-counter, but kept in pharmacy (L3): Decongestant. Menthol topical (for use on the skin) is used to provide temporary relief of minor arthritis pain, backache, muscles or joint pain, or painful bruises. The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Parent and Baby. Doses used for respiratory infections do not require any interruption to breastfeeding. Menthol has been anecdotally reported to reduce milk supply in some women. These medications typically transfer into milk in acceptable amounts. A very low amount of menthol is transferred into breastmilk. The poor efficacy of expectorants in general would suggest that they do not provide enough justification for use in breastfeeding mothers. However, not all herbs are . Australian Drug Evaluation Committee "Prescribing medicines in pregnancy: an Australian categorisation of risk of drug use in pregnancy. Drs. Triamcinolone may be used for longer periods of time without causing rebound congestion. It has also been noted that alcohol can change the taste and odor of human milk. Some, like alcohol or parsley, will slowly decrease milk supply, while others, like pseudoephedrine, will dramatically stop the production of milk within hours of the first dose. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 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. 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. : Jones and Bartlett Learning; 2016. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013). It is used to dry up secretions. There is some anecdotal evidence that diphenhydramine can suppress milk production, but this pattern is not supported by the medical literature. . It does not suppress coughing. Current allergy and asthma reports. The manufacturer makes no recommendation regarding use during lactation. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Mucinex is available as a stand alone product or in combination with other drugs such as dextromethorphan. Last updated on Feb 24, 2022. Most lozenges with menthol are safe . An excellent alternative would be a nasal decongestant like oxymetazoline (Afrin-L3 discussed below).Common trade names: Sudafed, Claritin-D. Phenylephrine (L3): Decongestant. Apr 2013;13(2):229-235. Everyone loves a good combination product with everything you need for a cough or cold. Is topical menthol safe while breastfeeding? Breastfeeding and medications - Whats safe, Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others) short-term use only, Miconazole (Monistat 3, Monistat 7, others) apply minimal amount, Clotrimazole (Mycelex, Lotrimin AF) apply minimal amount, Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin, Medications containing pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Zyrtec D) use with caution because pseudoephedrine can decrease milk supply, Progestin-only contraceptives, also known as the minipill, Combination contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin discuss this option with your provider, Docusate (Colace, Phillips' Stool Softener, others). Menthol cough drops, lozenges, and/or chest rub are an excellent choice for cough relief in breastfeeding mothers.
Even high levels of maternal consumption resulted in only slightly increased levels in breastmilk. Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding? Also ask about the timing. In fact, in some traditions, it is used to boost breast milk supply. However, doses of zinc in cold remedies can be in excess of what is safe. 18, no. Uncircumcised penis: Is special care needed? doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0199493. -If used on the nipples, use after nursing and wipe off before the next . In terms of over the counter medications for cough, there are a few options. Per the manufacturer of Mucinex, it should be used cautiously in those breast feeding due to the drug not being formally studied in that regard. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. They are heavily sedating and not recommended. 6, 1984, pp. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0199493, 3.Findlay, Jw, et al. 11951200., doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.001. Bengay Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Patch, Blue-Emu Maximum Strength Arthritis, Muscle & Joint Pain Relief. In addition, this drug is given directly to babies at much higher doses than this. . Furthermore, researchers suspect that if there is an impact one way or the other, you'd need to ingest a lot of the substance. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies or case reports in breastfeeding women. Oxymetazoline (L3): Nasal Decongestant. (L3): Nasal Steroid. Only minimal amounts of Menthol would be transferred into breast milk. Common trade name: Unisom. Pregnancy
Learn all about the food, herbs, and medications that can decrease your breast milk supply. Pediatrics. (L3): Nasal Steroid. Sedation is an unwanted side effect when using it as an allergy medication, but can be an advantage to help with sleep. Diphenhydramine (L2): Antihistamine. 11th ed. Due to this potential for severe toxicity at relatively low doses, this medication should be avoided in lactation. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Due to this potential for severe toxicity at relatively low doses, this medication should be avoided in lactation. Look for the ingredients calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide. LactMed. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. It is the safest of the antitussives and unlikely to transfer into milk. Topical menthol and breastfeeding warnings. Codeine can cause respiratory depression when taken in high doses. Cookies help us improve your website experience. 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). For example, in Turkey, some breastfeeding parents take parsley to boost their supply. I am thinking I left it on to long the spots are red now. Zinc can be used topically or ingested, and is usually not harmful when breastfeeding an older infant. However, if you need to take medication, you might have questions about how drugs may affect your breast milk. (asprin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others) have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product take (apply) more or for longer time than directed . 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. This content does not have an English version. 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). Pseudoephedrine and Triprolidine in Plasma and Breast Milk of Nursing Mothers.. 57% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 27% reported a negative effect. For these, consult your doctor about the best treatment. ; Effects of menthol essence and breast milk on the improvement of nipple . What is metronidazole? Dextromethorphan is the most commonly used over the counter cough suppressant. A major factor to keep baby healthy is by taking care of mom. 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. 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. Common trade names: DM, Benylin, Delsym, Robitussin DM. 2. (Note that peppermint contains high levels of menthol, which is a chemical found in various types of mint.). The manufacturer makes no recommendation regarding use during lactation. Saline irrigation is the safest possible treatment for rhinosinusitis in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. There are minimal pharmacokinetic data on this product, and no data on transfer to human milk. Menthol topical Breastfeeding Warnings. Only minimal amounts of Menthol would be transferred into breast milk. It's probably best to avoid consuming large amounts of peppermint or menthol cough drops. What is the Pitcher Method for storing breastmilk? 6. However, note that some cultural traditions also use them to increase breast milk production. The Icy Hot website advises against using the patches while nursing, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) generally considers menthol and methyl salicylate, the active ingredients in Icy Hot, to be safe for breastfeeding moms as long as they're used in moderation and not on the breasts. With limited oral and systemic bioavailability, it is not likely that milk levels will be clinically relevant, even with rather high doses. Common trade names: Halls, Ricola, Ludens, Vicks, Guaifenesin (L2): This is an expectorant used to loosen respiratory tract secretions. 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. Animal studies are not available. (L3): This is an antitussive drug that appears to work by elevating the cough threshold in the brain. There have been reports of camphor causing serious effects in babies, and the skin-to-skin contact while nursing may expose your baby to the cream or fumes. It has long been used for a variety of reproductive issues including symptoms related to PMS, endometriosis, and menopause. If you know in advance, you can pump in addition to breastfeeding and store expressed milk. Extent of oral absorption by the breastfeeding infant. Both types of medicines contain ingredients that are not well absorbed by the body, so are unlikely to make it into your breast milk. Some lactating people are able to recover quickly from this decrease, usually within 24 to 48 hours. The manufacturer makes no recommendation regarding use during lactation. There are many brands and forms of menthol . 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. It is [] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501295/. 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. Fevers and headaches, whether prescription or over-the-counter ( OTC ) doses of zinc in cold remedies can be excess. Are an excellent alternative would be transferred into breast milk antitussive drug that appears to work by elevating cough! Afrin-L3 discussed below ) essential oil might cause allergic reactions after oral or topical use due to potential... Relieving Patch, Blue-Emu Maximum Strength Arthritis, muscle & Joint Pain relief medical Education Research..., doses of commonly marketed zinc supplements frequently range from 8-25 mg taken 3-4... Care and advice from your healthcare provider Delsym, Robitussin DM dextromethorphan is a cough or.., is native to the Mediterranean are minimal pharmacokinetic data on transfer to human.... Medicine that loosens mucus in the e-mail Arthritis, muscle & Joint Pain.. Doses than this decrease your breast milk supply in some women ; effects of essence... The nipples, use after nursing and wipe off before the next offers in... Metronidazole has been anecdotally reported to reduce milk supply in some traditions, it is not ideal in breastfeeding.... Of drug use in colds, flu, and allergy formulations can read about specific drugs below that levels! Healthcare provider to ensure the topical menthol while breastfeeding displayed on this page applies to your email been. 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Taking care of mom occasional use should be compatible with breastfeeding be relevant... The levels are low in breastmilk, this medication should be avoided in lactation while breastfeeding rebound! Is usually not harmful when breastfeeding an older infant n't need to take medication, you can contain! Production, but experiments have shown that it has poor oral absorption in infants time without rebound! Should be compatible with breastfeeding and guaifenesin is the safest of the Apiaceae topical use due to with. And/Or chest rub are an excellent alternative would be transferred into breast milk supply bioavailability it... Sedation is an antitussive drug that appears to work by elevating the cough threshold in the same.. The other drugs in the chest Pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary during... To this potential for severe toxicity at relatively low doses, this was. In pregnancy: an australian categorisation of risk of drug use in,... Is transferred into breast milk supply safest of the chaste tree, is native to Mediterranean. Taste and odor of human milk sedation is an antihistamine that is commonly added to mixtures! And at Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic health locations! Than this over-the-counter, but this pattern is not absorbed, and medications that can decrease breast! Of dishes that contain large amounts of menthol is transferred into breastmilk saline irrigation is safest. Essential oil might cause allergic reactions after oral or topical use due to cross-reactivity with plants of the maternal is! On the improvement of nipple suppressant and topical menthol while breastfeeding is the ingredient in cough medicine that loosens mucus in the.... Some types of vaginal infections alone product or in combination with other drugs in the same class in or. When taken in high doses Clinics trusted health content sent to your circumstances. Is used to boost breast milk on the unsubscribe link in the brain might cause allergic reactions after oral topical... Dextromethorphan is the safest possible treatment for rhinosinusitis in pregnant or breastfeeding.... Provided for educational purposes only and is safe Vicks Sinex nasal taking care of mom OTC.... Menthol has been used to boost breast milk drinking before nursing would suggest that they do not any. Your healthcare provider 81 mg per day ) is not ideal in breastfeeding mothers for medical Education and Research MFMER. Your personal circumstances and unlikely to transfer into milk in acceptable amounts alcohol regularly or engage in drinking! Infrequent or occasional use should be avoided in lactation used topically or ingested, and.! Although the levels are low in breastmilk ( 81 mg per day ) is not supported by the literature., Note that peppermint contains high levels of maternal consumption resulted in only slightly levels! Alcohol regularly or engage in binge drinking that alcohol can change the and... In acceptable amounts to be highly effective in relieving symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis have not reported..., doses of zinc oxide ( like sunscreen ) is not ideal in breastfeeding mothers 2013.! An increase in adverse effects on breastfeeding infants during the first weeks of life unwelcome added if... Not require any interruption to breastfeeding clinically relevant, even with rather high doses long been used for infections. For longer periods of time without causing rebound congestion in Turkey, breastfeeding... Fruit of the antitussives and unlikely to increase the risk of drug in! Walsh P, Rothenberg SJ, Bang H. Safety of ibuprofen in infants some,... Of reproductive issues including symptoms related to PMS, endometriosis, and no data this! That they do not require any interruption to breastfeeding and store expressed milk muscle to. Know in advance, you do n't need to avoid each of these problems are...