Question

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

Guanfacine lactation summary

Guanfacine usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Guanfacine is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Guanfacine may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Guanfacine may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Guanfacine low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Guanfacine 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 Guanfacine usage in lactation

Not commercially available in Spain

Answer by DrLact: About Guanfacine usage in lactation

Because no information is available on the use of guanfacine during breastfeeding and its possible negative effects on lactation, other agents may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Guanfacine Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Published information on the effects of guanfacine on serum prolactin or on lactation in nursing mothers was not found as of the revision date. Guanfacine decreases basal serum prolactin in men and nonnursing women. Serum prolactin continues to decrease for at least 7 years during continuous use.[1] The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
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.