Question

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

Nitroglycerin lactation summary

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

Vasodilator used to treat cardiac disorders like ischemia and mainly anal fissures.It is also used during pregnancy as a tocolytic drug in cases of threatened preterm labor and eclampsia.It has been used to treat heart disorders in babies and children. Even to treat anal fissures in children under 1 year, and noteworthy, in ischemic issues on premature infants without side effects.It is administered intravenously, orally, sublingually, on skin patches, ointment ... Because of a moderately-high volume of distribution and very fast metabolism (Tmax and t1 / 2 minutes) it is highly unlikely the passage of significant amounts to the breast milk, especially when applied topically. This explains why it has not been observed any troubles in 40 infants whose mothers with anal fissures were treated with nitroglycerin ointment application even for periods of 12 months. Mothers have complained of headaches that commonly occur with the use of various vasodilators drugs. The amount of nitrate / nitrite in this type of vasodilator drugs is of few milligrams, therefore, toxicity associated to nitrates such as methemoglobinemia in breastfed infants from treated mothers has not been reported (The dose of nitrite is Rectogesic 1.5 mg / 12 hours).

Answer by DrLact: About Nitroglycerin usage in lactation

Topical use of nitroglycerin for anal fissures by nursing mothers appears to have no adverse effects on their breastfed infants. Topical use on the nipples has been used for alleviation of Raynaud phenomenon of the nipples, but only after cessation of breastfeeding.[1] Nitroglycerin should not be used topically on the nipples during breastfeeding. Sublingual and intravenous nitroglycerin have not been studied during breastfeeding. Observe infants for flushing and discomfort after breastfeeding.

Nitroglycerin Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Forty nursing mothers used nitroglycerin ointment (dosage not specified) topically for the treatment of postpartum anal fissures for durations ranging from 1 use to 12 months of intermittent use. All but 9 of the women reported side effects from therapy, primarily headache, but also dizziness or lightheadedness. None of the mothers reported any side effects in their breastfed infants.[2]

Synonyms of Nitroglycerin

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