Question

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

Ammonium Chloride lactation summary

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

Used in intravenous administration as an acidifier in severe metabolic alkalosis. It is also used orally to acidify urine and as a diuretic and as an expectorant because of its irritant properties on the respiratory mucosa.Oral and general use of this drug has fallen into disuse because of its poor efficacy and irritant properties on the gastric mucosa. Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk. After being absorbed in the intestine, it is rapidly metabolized in the liver as urea. The small amounts of ammonium in cough mixtures will hardly affect breastfeeding or the infant. It is advisable to avoid it due to its inefficacy or to use it moderately during breastfeeding. It has multiple industrial uses: fertilizers, explosives, metallurgy (soldered, galvanized and welded), batteries, detergents, etc. Exposure limits in these TLV industries (such as TWA) should be maintained: 10 mg / m³ and TLV (as STEL): 20 mg / m³. Ammonium chloride has no R-phrases or specific recommendations for breastfeeding. It is also used in the food industry as an emulsifying and flavoring additive (E510); to be avoided.

Alternate Drugs for Blood substitutes, Perfusions, Irritgating & Electrolyte solutions. ATC B05

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