I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use (-)-Ephedrine? Is (-)-Ephedrine safe for nursing mother and child? Does (-)-Ephedrine extracts into breast milk? Does (-)-Ephedrine has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can (-)-Ephedrine influence milk supply or can (-)-Ephedrine decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
- DrLact safety Score for (-)-Ephedrine is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of (-)-Ephedrine may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that (-)-Ephedrine may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of (-)-Ephedrine low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using (-)-Ephedrine 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.
An alkaloid derived from ephedra. It has sympathomimetic properties with direct and indirect effects on adrenergic receptors. Used parenterally to treat hypotension derived from spinal or epidural anesthesia due to its peripheral vasoconstrictor effects and improvement of heart tone. Used orally as a bronchodilator mixed in preparations for colds, bronchitis and asthma. Used illegaly as a psychostimulant and for weight loss, with serious health risks (van der Hoof 2002, Gruber 1998). See also information on Ephedra. Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk. Its large volume of distribution makes it unlikely it will pass into milk in significant amounts. After a cesarean section with epidural anesthesia and use of (-)-Ephedrine there were no side effects in 100 newborns; the time of initial breastfeeding was not delayed with respect to newborns after cesareans under general anesthesia (Havas 2013). The use of (-)-Ephedrine during delivery or cesarean section is not contraindicated with the early initiation of breastfeeding: as well as the unlikely excretion in breast milk there is a low amount of colostrum obtained by the newborn in the first hours of life. It may be desirable to minimize the continued use of oral preparations for colds/bronchitis which contain (-)-Ephedrine since a case of crying, irritability and insomnia has been reported in a 3-month-old infant whose mother was taking a medication containing d-iso(-)-Ephedrine and dexbrompheniramine (Mortimer 1977). Simple preparations (a single active ingredient per drug) are preferable and even more so during breastfeeding. Abusive use as a psychostimulant or antiobesity product entails serious risks to the health of the mother and the infant and should be avoided (van der Hoof 2002, Gruber 1998). Topical use of (-)-Ephedrine (see information on topical (-)-Ephedrine) as a complement to preparations for local anesthetic, dermatologicals, stomatologicals or ophthalmologicals is compatible with breastfeeding (WHO 2002). See below the information of these related products:
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