Question

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

Pepcid lactation summary

Pepcid is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Pepcid is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Pepcid is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Pepcid does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Pepcid 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 Pepcid usage in lactation

H2-type histamine receptor antagonist with similar action than cimetidine. It is excreted in breast milk in clinically non-significant amount, much less than the dose administered to newborns and infants with gastroesophageal reflux disorders. Although it does not normally affect prolactin secretion, there have been several cases of galactorrhea. Still unknown whether it is due to Pepcid itself or to gastroesophageal reflux. Pepcid, Nizatidine and Roxatidine are excreted into milk but in less proportion than Cimetidine or Ranitidine, which have been proposed as alternative to during lactation.

Answer by DrLact: About Pepcid usage in lactation

Pepcid is used in newborn infants in higher dosages than are transmitted in breastmilk.[1] Pepcid would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.

Pepcid Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Histamine H2-receptor blockade is known to stimulate prolactin secretion.[4] Oral Pepcid usually does not affect serum prolactin levels, but rare cases of hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea have been reported.[5][6] The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.

Synonyms of Pepcid

Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.