Question

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

Levonorgestrel (Plan B) lactation summary

Levonorgestrel (Plan B) is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Levonorgestrel (Plan B) is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Levonorgestrel (Plan B) is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Levonorgestrel (Plan B) does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Levonorgestrel (Plan B) safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher 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 Levonorgestrel (Plan B) usage in lactation

72-hours post coital emergency contraceptive drug. It is excreted into breast milk in non-significant levels. However, some authorities recommend to delay nursing for 4 hours after intake to further decrease any infant intake. Others do not consider it necessary or as much not longer than 3-4 hours. Progestagens do not have effect on lactation or breastfed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics rates it compatible with breastfeeding.
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