Question

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

Zanaflex lactation summary

Zanaflex is unsafe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Zanaflex is 5 out of 8 which is considered Unsafe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 5 indicates that usage of Zanaflex may cause serious side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Zanaflex may cause moderate to high side effects or may affect milk supply in lactating mother.
  • Our suggestion is to use safer alternate options rather than using Zanaflex .
  • It is recommended to evaluate the advantage of not breastfeeding while using Zanaflex Vs not using Zanaflex And continue breastfeeding.
  • While using Zanaflex Its must to monitor 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 Zanaflex usage in lactation

Centrally acting muscle relaxant. Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk. Its pharmacokinetic data: low molecular weight, high liposolubility (Acorda 2006), makes it probable that it could pass to milk in potentially significant quantities. During breastfeeding, it seems prudent to avoid it (Hutchinson 2013) or to use it very sporadically and limited to sufficient minimum doses, monitoring for possible sedation of the infant, especially during the first 3 months of life.

Alternate Drugs for Muscle relaxants. ATC M03

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.