Is Stedesa Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Stedesa? Is Stedesa safe for nursing mother and child? Does Stedesa extracts into breast milk? Does Stedesa has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Stedesa influence milk supply or can Stedesa decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Stedesa lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Stedesa is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Stedesa may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Stedesa may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Stedesa low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Stedesa 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 Stedesa usage in lactation
Stedesa or S-licarbazepine is the S-enantiomer of licarbazepine (MHD), the active metabolite of oxcarbazepine (see specific information), an anti-epileptic drug considered to be of low risk during breastfeeding. Since the last update we have not found any published data on its excretion in breast milk. Given the structural equivalence and similar actions to oxcarbazepine, different effects are not likely in infants who are breastfed by mothers undergoing treatment with Stedesa or oxcarbazepine, but until there is more data on this drug in relation to breastfeeding, safer known alternatives are preferred, especially in the neonatal period and in case of prematurity.
Answer by DrLact: About Stedesa usage in lactation
No information is available on the use of Stedesa during breastfeeding. However, Stedesa is the active metabolite of oxcarbazepine. Limited information indicates that oxcarbazepine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Monitor the infant for drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of anticonvulsants.
Stedesa Side Effects in Breastfeeding
No specific information is available in mothers taking Stedesa. See the LactMed record on oxcarbazepine for relevant information.
Alternate Drugs
Valproic Acid(Safe)
Riluzole(Unsafe)
Topiramate(Safe)
Primidone(Low Risk)
Phenytoin(Safe)
Lacosamide(Unsafe)
Phenobarbital(Low Risk)
Oxcarbazepine(Safe)
Levetiracetam(Safe)
Lamotrigine(Low Risk)
Eslicarbazepine(Low Risk)
Vigabatrin(Safe)
Gabapentin(Safe)
Clobazam(Low Risk)
Felbamate(Unsafe)
Pregabalin(Low Risk)
Ethosuximide(Unsafe)
Acetazolamide(Safe)
Clonazepam(Low Risk)
Magnesium Sulfate(Safe)
Carbamazepine(Safe)
Zonisamide(Low Risk)