Question

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

Answer by DrLact: About BAK usage in lactation

Topical maternal application of BAK or benzethonium chloride or their presence as a preservative in pharmaceuticals would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.

BAK Side Effects in Breastfeeding

A study in Japan randomized 80 consecutive term patients into 4 groups who received either povidone-iodine or benzethonium chloride as a skin disinfectant before delivery and one of these for postpartum vaginal lacerations. Prepartum doses were about 7 mL and postpartum doses were about 0.5 mL of solution. Infant thyrotropin levels were elevated in the infants whose mothers received topical povidone-iodine pre- and postpartum compared to infants whose mothers received benzethonium chloride.[2]

Alternate Drugs

Iodine(Unsafe)
Mupirocin(Safe)
Moxifloxacin(Low Risk)
Cefepime(Safe)
Methicillin(Low Risk)
Iodine(Unsafe)
Cefdinir(Safe)
Methenamine(Unsafe)
Cefazolin(Safe)
Mupirocin(Safe)
Cefaclor(Safe)
Lomefloxacin(Low Risk)
Levofloxacin(Low Risk)
Kanamycin(Safe)
Aztreonam(Safe)
Cefprozil(Safe)
Ofloxacin(Safe)
Erythromycin(Low Risk)
Cefoxitin(Safe)
Clindamycin(Low Risk)
Gatifloxacin(Low Risk)
Cefotetan(Safe)
Enoxacin(Low Risk)
Neomycin(Safe)
Capreomycin(Low Risk)
Doxycycline(Low Risk)
Amikacin(Safe)
Nalidixic Acid(Low Risk)
Ertapenem(Safe)
Nafcillin(Safe)
Cefixime(Safe)
Demeclocycline(Low Risk)

Synonyms of BAK

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.