Is Phenylephrine Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Phenylephrine? Is Phenylephrine safe for nursing mother and child? Does Phenylephrine extracts into breast milk? Does Phenylephrine has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Phenylephrine influence milk supply or can Phenylephrine decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Phenylephrine lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Phenylephrine is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Phenylephrine may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Phenylephrine may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Phenylephrine low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Phenylephrine 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 Phenylephrine usage in lactation
Used on topical decongestant solutions for nose drops at low concentration. 10% midriatic eye drops are available. Because low concentration is used on nose and ophtalmic drops a significant excretion into breast milk is unlikely. Low oral biodisponibility minimizes any risk of harmful effect in the infant. Authorized for nasal or ophtalmic use on children aged younger than 1 year. Although on latest update relevant data on breastfeeding was not found it is considered to be safe when minimal dose is used. Avoid excessive or long term use. A related drug Pseudoephedrine can inhibit milk production. It would be advisable to press on the lachrimal sac to minimize absorption.
Answer by DrLact: About Phenylephrine usage in lactation
The oral bioavailability of phenylephrine is only about 40%,[1] so the drug is unlikely to reach the infant in large amounts. However, intravenous or oral administration of phenylephrine might decrease milk production. Because no information is available on the use of oral phenylephrine during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.Phenylephrine nasal spray or ophthalmic drops are less likely to decrease lactation. To substantially diminish the effect of the drug after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.
Phenylephrine Possible Effects in Breastfeeding
Relevant published information in humans was not found as of the revision date. However, animal data indicate that phenylephrine can decrease milk production[2][3] and pseudoephedrine, a pharmacologically similar vasoconstrictor, decreases milk production in nursing mothers after oral use.[4]
Alternate Drugs
Amphetamine(Unsafe)
Phenylephrine(Low Risk)
Pseudoephedrine(Low Risk)
Epinephrine(Safe)
Phenylephrine(Low Risk)
Pseudoephedrine(Low Risk)
Oxymetazoline(Low Risk)
Norepinephrine(Safe)
Ergotamine(Unsafe)
Epinephrine(Safe)
Timolol(Safe)
Brinzolamide(Low Risk)
Phenylephrine(Low Risk)
Levobunolol(Low Risk)
Brimonidine(Safe)
Bimatoprost(Safe)
Travoprost(Safe)
Acetazolamide(Safe)
Pilocarpine(Unsafe)
Carteolol(Unsafe)
Latanoprost(Safe)
Phenylephrine(Low Risk)
Oxymetazoline(Low Risk)
Epinephrine(Safe)
Amphetamine(Unsafe)
Phenylephrine(Low Risk)
Pseudoephedrine(Low Risk)
Oxymetazoline(Low Risk)
Norepinephrine(Safe)
Frovatriptan(Low Risk)
Almotriptan(Low Risk)
Sumatriptan(Safe)
Eletriptan(Safe)
Phenylephrine(Low Risk)
Pseudoephedrine(Low Risk)
Norepinephrine(Safe)
Cocaine(Dangerous)
Ergotamine(Unsafe)
Zolmitriptan(Low Risk)
Rizatriptan(Low Risk)
Epinephrine(Safe)
Naratriptan(Low Risk)