Question

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

N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide lactation summary

N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide 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 N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide usage in lactation

N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET is an effective insect repellent against mosquitoes, black flies, ticks and fleas. Since the last update, we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk. Its pharmacokinetic data (low molecular weight, moderate cutaneous absorption and highly lipophilic) make its transfer to milk possible in amounts that could be significant. There is no evidence that the use of DEET in breastfeeding mothers affects the child (Koren 2003). Avoid the use of products with a concentration higher than 25%, do not use over extended areas of skin (Chen 2009) and do not apply to the chest. Avoid contact with the baby and ventilate well. It is a product which is approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use in infants older than two months at concentrations not exceeding 30% (AAP 2017). WHO list of essential medicines: compatible with breastfeeding (WHO / UNICEF, 2002).

Answer by DrLact: About N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide usage in lactation

No information is available on the clinical use of N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) during breastfeeding. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consider DEET to be safe and effective during breastfeeding when used as directed.[1] It should be used by breastfeeding women to avoid exposure to mosquito-borne viruses.[1][2][3] Avoid application directly to the nipple and other areas where the infant might directly ingest the product.
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