Question

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

Diphenhydrinate lactation summary

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

Antihistaminic drug used as treatment of vertigo and dizziness. Sporadic usage is not contraindicated.

Answer by DrLact: About Diphenhydrinate usage in lactation

Small, occasional doses of Diphenhydrinate would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Larger doses or more prolonged use may cause effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established. Single bedtime doses after the last feeding of the day may be adequate for many women and will minimize any effects of the drug.

Diphenhydrinate Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Relevant published information on Diphenhydrinate was not found as of the revision date. In one telephone follow-up study, mothers reported irritability and colicky symptoms 10% of infants exposed to various antihistamines and drowsiness was reported in 1.6% of infants. None of the reactions required medical attention. In this study, irritability was reported in one infant of seven exposed to Diphenhydrinate in breastmilk.[2]

Diphenhydrinate Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Antihistamines in relatively high doses given by injection can decrease basal serum prolactin in nonlactating women and in early postpartum women.[3][4] However, suckling-induced prolactin secretion is not affected by antihistamine pretreatment of postpartum mothers.[3] Whether lower oral doses of Diphenhydrinate have the same effect on serum prolactin or whether the effects on prolactin have any consequences on breastfeeding success have not been studied. The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed. One woman became dependent on Diphenhydrinate during her first pregnancy and continued to take it in a dose of 150 mg daily while she breastfed her infant for 3 months. The infant did well except for a febrile seizure at 2 years of age, which was probably unrelated to Diphenhydrinate. During her second pregnancy, she took Diphenhydrinate 300 mg daily during the pregnancy and while breastfeeding her infant for 2 years.[5]

Alternate Drugs

Droperidol(Low Risk)
Promethazine(Low Risk)
Cyclizine(Low Risk)
Meclizine(Low Risk)
Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)
Doxylamine(Unsafe)
Doxylamine(Unsafe)
Pyrilamine(Low Risk)
Clemastine(Low Risk)
Ketotifen(Low Risk)
Carbinoxamine(Low Risk)
Brompheniramine(Low Risk)
Azelastine(Low Risk)
Cyclizine(Low Risk)
Acrivastine(Low Risk)
Diphenhydramine(Low Risk)
Meclizine(Low Risk)
Epinastine(Low Risk)
Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)
Levocetirizine(Low Risk)
Droperidol(Low Risk)
Senna(Safe)
Rifaximin(Safe)
Alosetron(Low Risk)
Cisapride(Safe)
Cyclizine(Low Risk)
Docusate(Safe)
Cimetidine(Low Risk)
Cascara Sagrada(Low Risk)
Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)
Bisacodyl(Safe)
Doxylamine(Unsafe)
Ursodiol(Safe)

Synonyms of Diphenhydrinate

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.