Is Ramelteon Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Ramelteon? Is Ramelteon safe for nursing mother and child? Does Ramelteon extracts into breast milk? Does Ramelteon has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Ramelteon influence milk supply or can Ramelteon decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Answer by DrLact: About Ramelteon usage in lactation
No information is available on the use of ramelteon during breastfeeding. If ramelteon is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. Monitor the infant for drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of psychotropic drugs.
Ramelteon Possible Effects in Breastfeeding
Prolactin levels increased by 4.9 mcg/L (34%) in non-breastfeeding women with chronic insomnia who were taking ramelteon 16 mg nightly for 6 months. No clinical symptoms of hyperprolactinemia were reported.[1] The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.