Is Lyrica Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Lyrica? Is Lyrica safe for nursing mother and child? Does Lyrica extracts into breast milk? Does Lyrica has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Lyrica influence milk supply or can Lyrica decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Lyrica lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Lyrica is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Lyrica may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Lyrica may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Lyrica low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Lyrica 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 Lyrica usage in lactation
Anti-epileptic drug with structural properties similar to Gabapentin. Also used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. It is excreted into breast milk in small quantities as plasma levels in infants were less than 10% of maternal ones when compared to those of treated mothers. No side effects were observed in those infants. Because less experience has been published than with other drugs of the same group, alternatives that are known as safer should be considered of choice during the neonatal period or in case of preterm babies.
Answer by DrLact: About Lyrica usage in lactation
Very limited data indicate that amounts of Lyrica in breastmilk are low. If Lyrica is required by the mother of an older infant, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding, but until more data become available, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Lyrica Possible Effects in Breastfeeding
A study randomized pregnant women to either a single dose of Lyrica 150 mg (n = 45), 300 mg (n = 45), or placebo (n = 45) orally 1 hour before induction of anesthesia for an elective cesarean section to reduce postoperative analgesia requirements. Three infants of mothers in the Lyrica 300 mg group had difficulty latching on for breastfeeding for 8 hours after delivery, although none were sedated.[2]
Alternate Drugs
Pregabalin(Low Risk)
Phenytoin(Safe)
Phenobarbital(Low Risk)
Oxcarbazepine(Safe)
Levetiracetam(Safe)
Eslicarbazepine(Low Risk)
Lamotrigine(Low Risk)
Vigabatrin(Safe)
Gabapentin(Safe)
Clobazam(Low Risk)
Felbamate(Unsafe)
Pregabalin(Low Risk)
Ethosuximide(Unsafe)
Clonazepam(Low Risk)
Acetazolamide(Safe)
Carbamazepine(Safe)
Magnesium Sulfate(Safe)
Riluzole(Unsafe)
Zonisamide(Low Risk)
Valproic Acid(Safe)
Topiramate(Safe)
Primidone(Low Risk)
Lacosamide(Unsafe)