Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone? Is 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone safe for nursing mother and child? Does 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone extracts into breast milk? Does 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone influence milk supply or can 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Answer by DrLact: About 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone usage in lactation

17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone is a normal component of breastmilk that passes from the mother's bloodstream into milk and might have a role in intestinal maturation, the intestinal microbiome, growth, body composition or neurodevelopment, but adequate studies are lacking.[1] Concentrations follow a diurnal rhythm, with the highest concentrations in the morning at about 7:00 am and the lowest concentrations in the late afternoon and evening.[2][3] 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone has not been studied in breastmilk after exogenous administration in pharmacologic amounts. Although it is unlikely that dangerous amounts of 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone would reach the infant, a better studied alternate drug might be preferred. Local injections, such as for tendinitis, would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, but might occasionally cause temporary loss of milk supply. 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone concentrations in breastmilk are not affected by storage for 36 hours at room temperature, during multiple freeze-thaw cycles, nor Holder pasteurization (62.5 degrees C for 30 minutes).[4][5]

17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone Side Effects in Breastfeeding

None reported with any corticosteroid.

17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Published information on the effects of 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone on serum prolactin or on lactation in nursing mothers was not found as of the revision date. However, medium to large doses of depot corticosteroids injected into joints have been reported to cause temporary reduction of lactation.[7][8] A study of 46 women who delivered an infant before 34 weeks of gestation found that a course of another corticosteroid (betamethasone, 2 intramuscular injections of 11.4 mg of betamethasone 24 hours apart) given between 3 and 9 days before delivery resulted in delayed lactogenesis II and lower average milk volumes during the 10 days after delivery. Milk volume was not affected if the infant was delivered less than 3 days or more than 10 days after the mother received the corticosteroid.[9] An equivalent dosage regimen of 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone might have the same effect. A study of 87 pregnant women found that betamethasone given as above during pregnancy caused a premature stimulation of lactose secretion during pregnancy. Although the increase was statistically significant, the clinical importance appears to be minimal.[10] An equivalent dosage regimen of 17-Hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone might have the same effect.
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