Question

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

Xusal lactation summary

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

Second generation antihistamine drug derived from piperazine with a minimal sedative effect and low toxicity even at higher dose. On latest update no published data about breastfeeding were found. However, it is the R-enantiomer of cetirizine which is considered to be safe while breastfeeding. No short or long-term side effects were found in an infant with a mother who was treated with Cetirizine in the first month post delivery for pemphigus (Westermann 2012). Because of a high plasma protein binding capacity, excretion into breast milk seems to be unlikely. The British Society of Immunology and Allergy rates Cetirizine as compatible with breastfeeding (Powell 2007).

Answer by DrLact: About Xusal usage in lactation

Xusal is the -enantiomer of cetirizine. Small occasional doses of Xusal are probably acceptable during breastfeeding. Larger doses or more prolonged use may cause drowsiness and other effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established. The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommends cetirizine, the racemic form of the drug, at its lowest dose as a preferred choice if an antihistamine is required during breastfeeding.[1]

Xusal Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Relevant published information on Xusal was not found as of the revision date. In one telephone follow-up study, mothers reported irritability and colicky symptoms in 10% of infants exposed to various antihistamines, and drowsiness was reported in 1.6% of infants. None of the reactions required medical attention.[2]

Xusal 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.[3][4] However, suckling-induced prolactin secretion is not affected by antihistamine pretreatment of postpartum mothers.[3] Whether lower oral doses of Xusal have the same effect on serum prolactin or whether the effects on prolactin have any consequences on breastfeeding success have not been studied. The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
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.