Is Meclozine Safe in Breastfeeding

Question

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

Meclozine lactation summary

Meclozine usage has low risk in breastfeeding

DrLact safety Score for Meclozine is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Meclozine may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
Our study of different scientific research indicates that Meclozine may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Meclozine low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
While using Meclozine 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 Meclozine usage in lactation

Anti-histaminic drug with sedative and anti-emetic effects. No problems when sporadically used to avoid motion sickness during a travel. Check-up for sedation.

Answer by DrLact: About Meclozine usage in lactation

Occasional doses of meclizine are probably acceptable during breastfeeding. Large doses or more prolonged use may cause effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established.

Meclozine Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Relevant published information on meclizine was not found as of the revision date. In one telephone follow-up study, mothers reported irritability and colicky symptoms 10% of infants exposed to various antihistamines and drowsiness was reported in 1.6% of infants. None of the reactions required medical attention and none of the infants were exposed to meclizine.[1]

Meclozine Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Antihistamines in relatively high doses given by injection can decrease basal serum prolactin in nonlactating women and in early postpartum women.[2][3] However, suckling-induced prolactin secretion is not affected by antihistamine pretreatment of postpartum mothers.[2] Whether lower oral doses of antihistamines have the same effect on serum prolactin or whether the effects on prolactin have any consequences on breastfeeding success have not been studied.

Alternate Drugs for Antihistamines for systemic use. ATC R06A.

Acrivastine(Low Risk)

Brompheniramine(Low Risk)

Carbinoxamine(Low Risk)

Cetirizine(Safe)

Chlorpheniramine(Low Risk)

Clemastine(Low Risk)

Desloratadine(Safe)

Dexchlorpheniramine(Low Risk)

Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)

Diphenhydramine(Low Risk)

Fexofenadine(Safe)

Hydroxyzine(Safe)

Loratadine(Safe)

Promethazine(Low Risk)

Pyrilamine(Low Risk)

Thiethylperazine(Unsafe)

Triprolidine(Safe)

Epinastine(Low Risk)

Meclizine(Low Risk)

Ketotifen(Low Risk)

Levocetirizine(Low Risk)

Cyclizine(Low Risk)

Doxylamine(Unsafe)

Cetirizine Hydrochloride(Safe)

Alimemazine(Low Risk)

Astemizole(Unsafe)

Azatadine Maleate(Low Risk)

Bilastine(Low Risk)

Brompheniramine Maleate(Low Risk)

Buclizine-Hcl(Low Risk)

Carbinoxamine Maleate(Low Risk)

Cyproheptadine-Hcl(Low Risk)

Clemastine Fumarate(Low Risk)

Chlorcyclizine(Low Risk)

Chlorphenamine(Low Risk)

Chloropyramine Hydrochloride(Unsafe)

Ebastine(Low Risk)

Fexofenadine Hydrochloride(Safe)

Ketotifen Fumarate(Low Risk)

Mepyramine(Low Risk)

Mequitazine(Unsafe)

Mizolastine(Low Risk)

Pizotifen(Low Risk)

Rupatadine Fumarate(Low Risk)

Terfenadine(Low Risk)

Triprolidine Hydrochloride(Safe)

Dimetindene Maleate (systemic use)(Unsafe)

Trimeprazine(Low Risk)

Halopyramine Hydrochloride(Unsafe)

Doxylamine Succinate(Unsafe)

Dramamine Ii(Low Risk)

Chlorpheniramine Maleate(Low Risk)

Pizotyline(Low Risk)

Benzhydramine(Low Risk)

Promethazine Hydrochloride(Low Risk)

Pyranisamine(Low Risk)

Kelp(Unsafe)

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.