Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use (+-)-Baclofen? Is (+-)-Baclofen safe for nursing mother and child? Does (+-)-Baclofen extracts into breast milk? Does (+-)-Baclofen has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can (+-)-Baclofen influence milk supply or can (+-)-Baclofen decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

(+-)-Baclofen lactation summary

(+-)-Baclofen is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for (+-)-Baclofen is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of (+-)-Baclofen is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that (+-)-Baclofen does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of (+-)-Baclofen safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher 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 (+-)-Baclofen usage in lactation

Centrally acting Myorelaxant. Indicated for spastic disorders associated with degenerative illnesses and cerebral palsy. Excreted into breast milk in non-significant clinical amount with no harm effects reported among breastfed infants from treated mothers. When administered in pregnancy, symptoms of Abstinence Syndrome may appear, Intrathecal administration shows small serum levels by which it is assumed that the amount present in breast milk must be even lower. Oral administration has been authorized since neonatal age in the UK and one year of life in Spain. Follow-up of milk production is recommended since a theoretically based inhibition of Prolactin may occur. American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding.

Answer by DrLact: About (+-)-Baclofen usage in lactation

Limited information indicates that orally administered (+-)-Baclofen appears in low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Monitor newborn infants for signs of sedation. Low intrathecal doses and topical application produce even lower milk levels and are unlikely to affect the nursing infant.

(+-)-Baclofen Side Effects in Breastfeeding

An infant was born after exposure to (+-)-Baclofen in utero. The mother was taking (+-)-Baclofen 10 mg twice daily plus clonazepam 1 mg orally twice daily and sustained-release oxycodone 50 mg daily in divided doses. The infant was breast and bottle fed while the mother continued taking (+-)-Baclofen. Neonatal withdrawal symptoms necessitated phenobarbital administration. The infant also received (+-)-Baclofen 0.5 mg/kg daily in 4 divided doses that was weaned and decreased by day 9 of life. Neurologic examination was normal at discharge on day 16 and at 6-weeks of age.[4] A woman with spinal cord injury was taking (+-)-Baclofen 20 mg four daily during pregnancy and postpartum. After birth, the infant received an initial (+-)-Baclofen dosage of 0.1 mg/kg daily for 4 days, plus about 1/3 of the diet as breastmilk containing (+-)-Baclofen (about 0.016 mg/kg daily), followed by a daily decrease of 0.01 mg/kg daily until discontinuation of the (+-)-Baclofen on the 13th day of life. Breastmilk intake was eventually increased to 50% of the infant's diet. Daily assessment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) was performed using the modified Finnegan NAS scoring system. Of 82 modified Finnegan NAS scores obtained in the first 16 days of life, the mean score was 2. The maximum NAS score of 9 was observed on the 13th day of life. At no point were there three consecutive NAS scores of 8 or greater, indicating no need for further pharmacological intervention. The infant was discharged 3 days after the taper ended.[5]

Alternate Drugs

Baclofen(Safe)
Meprobamate(Low Risk)
Cyclobenzaprine(Low Risk)
Dantrolene(Unsafe)
Carisoprodol(Low Risk)
Baclofen(Safe)
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