Is Flavoxate Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Flavoxate? Is Flavoxate safe for nursing mother and child? Does Flavoxate extracts into breast milk? Does Flavoxate has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Flavoxate influence milk supply or can Flavoxate decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Flavoxate lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Flavoxate is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Flavoxate may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Flavoxate may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Flavoxate low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Flavoxate We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
- Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.
Answer by Dr. Ru: About Flavoxate usage in lactation
Anticholinergic and smooth-muscle relaxant with antimuscarinic action which is used to relieve spasticity, inflammation, pain and incontinence of the urine bladder tract. At latest update relevant published data on its excretion into breast milk were not found. The antimuscarinic effect may reduce milk production (De Martino 1980, Bizarro 1980), albeit only during the first weeks postpartum. Side effects occur very rarely with a rather low risk during lactation when timely used. Monitoring of milk production and anticholinergic symptoms in the infant such as irritability, nausea or constipation would be desirable. Until more published data on this drug related to breastfeeding is available, an alternative with a known pharmacokinetic profile that should appear safer while breastfeeding (higher protein-binding capacity, lower half-life span and lower oral bioavailability) may be preferable, especially during the neonatal period and in case of prematurity.
Answer by DrLact: About Flavoxate usage in lactation
No information is available on the use of flavoxate during breastfeeding. Long-term use of trihexyphenidyl might reduce milk production or milk letdown, but a single dose is not likely to interfere with breastfeeding. During long-term use, observe for signs of decreased lactation (e.g., insatiety, poor weight gain).
Flavoxate Possible Effects in Breastfeeding
Anticholinergics can inhibit lactation in animals, apparently by inhibiting growth hormone and oxytocin secretion.[1][2][3][4][5] Anticholinergic drugs can also reduce serum prolactin in nonnursing women.[6] The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
Alternate Drugs
Tolterodine(Low Risk)
Solifenacin(Unsafe)
Flavoxate(Low Risk)
Scopolamine(Low Risk)
Fesoterodine(Low Risk)
Ipratropium(Safe)
Oxybutinyn(Low Risk)
Glycopyrrolate(Unsafe)
Atropine(Safe)
Tropicamide(Low Risk)
Dicyclomine(Unsafe)
Cyclopentolate(Low Risk)
Tolterodine(Low Risk)
Solifenacin(Unsafe)
Flavoxate(Low Risk)
Scopolamine(Low Risk)
Fesoterodine(Low Risk)
Ipratropium(Safe)
Oxybutinyn(Low Risk)
Glycopyrrolate(Unsafe)
Atropine(Safe)
Tropicamide(Low Risk)
Dicyclomine(Unsafe)
Cyclopentolate(Low Risk)
Flavoxate(Low Risk)