Is (+-)-Meclizine Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use (+-)-Meclizine? Is (+-)-Meclizine safe for nursing mother and child? Does (+-)-Meclizine extracts into breast milk? Does (+-)-Meclizine has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can (+-)-Meclizine influence milk supply or can (+-)-Meclizine decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
(+-)-Meclizine lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for (+-)-Meclizine is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of (+-)-Meclizine may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that (+-)-Meclizine may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of (+-)-Meclizine low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using (+-)-Meclizine 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 (+-)-Meclizine 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 (+-)-Meclizine 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.
(+-)-Meclizine 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]
(+-)-Meclizine 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.
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