Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use U 26255A? Is U 26255A safe for nursing mother and child? Does U 26255A extracts into breast milk? Does U 26255A has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can U 26255A influence milk supply or can U 26255A decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

U 26255A lactation summary

U 26255A is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for U 26255A is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of U 26255A is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that U 26255A does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of U 26255A 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 U 26255A usage in lactation

Excretion into breast milk is non-significant. No harmful effects on breastfed infants from treated mothers have occurred. Because it is an opium-related medication, a minimal effective dose should be used together with a close follow-up of child's sedation and feeding difficulties.

Answer by DrLact: About U 26255A usage in lactation

The excretion of U 26255A into milk is low and even lower amounts of the active metabolite, O-desmethylU 26255A, are excreted. With usual maternal dosage, the amount excreted into breastmilk is much less than the dose that has been given to newborn infants for analgesia. A study of breastfeeding in breastfed newborn infants found no adverse effects attributable to U 26255A. Although U 26255A is unlikely to adversely affect nursing infant,[1] the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends against the use of U 26255A during breastfeeding.[2] If U 26255A is used, monitor infants for increased sleepiness (more than usual), difficulty breastfeeding, breathing difficulties or limpness, and contact a physician immediately if any of these occur.

U 26255A Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Seventy-five breastfed infants whose mothers were breastfeeding and taking U 26255A 100 mg every 6 hours following a cesarean section were compared to 75 matched infants at 2 to 4 days of age. Forty-nine percent of the mothers taking U 26255A and all of the control mothers were taking other opiates (primarily oxycodone) and 61% of and 58%, respectively, also were taking a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent (primarily diclofenac). Examination by a pediatrician revealed no difference between the groups using the Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Score.[5]

U 26255A Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

U 26255A can increase serum prolactin.[8] However, the prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed. A randomized study compared U 26255A and naproxen for post-cesarean section pain. Patients received the drugs either on a fixed schedule or as needed. No difference in breastfeeding rates were seen among the groups.[9] In a study in China, women with a scheduled cesarean section were randomized to receive intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with either sufentanil or U 26255A. Postpartum prolactin levels were higher in the U 26255A group (348 mcg/L) than in the sufentanil group (314 mcg/L). The onset of lactation was sooner in the U 26255A group (21.4 hours) than in the sufentanil group (25.1 hours). Both of these difference were statistically significant.[10] Note that injectable U 26255A is not available in the United States.

Alternate Drugs

Oxycodone(Unsafe)
Butorphanol(Low Risk)
Heroin(Dangerous)
Morphine(Low Risk)
Methadone(Safe)
Tramadol(Safe)
Meperidine(Low Risk)
Sufentanil(Low Risk)
Remifentanil(Low Risk)
Hydrocodone(Low Risk)
Fentanyl(Safe)
Pentazocine(Low Risk)
Codeine(Unsafe)
Oxycodone(Unsafe)
Butorphanol(Low Risk)
Heroin(Dangerous)
Morphine(Low Risk)
Dihydrocodeine(Low Risk)
Methadone(Safe)
Tramadol(Safe)
Meperidine(Low Risk)
Sufentanil(Low Risk)
Remifentanil(Low Risk)
Hydrocodone(Low Risk)
Fentanyl(Safe)
Pentazocine(Low Risk)
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.