Is Gentian Violet Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Gentian Violet? Is Gentian Violet safe for nursing mother and child? Does Gentian Violet extracts into breast milk? Does Gentian Violet has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Gentian Violet influence milk supply or can Gentian Violet decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Gentian Violet lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Gentian Violet is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Gentian Violet is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Gentian Violet does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Gentian Violet 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 Gentian Violet usage in lactation
We are working on a comment for this product.
Answer by DrLact: About Gentian Violet usage in lactation
Gentian violet (crystal violet) was used in the past to treat oral and nipple thrush during breastfeeding. Gentian violet is potentially toxic to the mucous membranes, causing ulceration,[1][2][3][4] and potentially tattooing the skin. It can also interact with DNA[5], is carcinogenic and mutagenic in rodents, and occasionally causes allergic sensitization, with cross reactions to other triphenylmethane dyes.[6] Its use has been severely curtailed by authorities in England and Australia.[7][8] It is also very messy, staining skin and clothing. A 2001 survey of the members of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) found that gentian violet is rarely (1 to 2% of respondents) used by breastfeeding experts for initial treatment of oral thrush and is very infrequently (3 to 4% of respondents) used for recurrent or persistent thrush.[9] ABM guidelines for treating Candida infection of the nipples state that an aqueous solution of gentian violet of less than 0.5% can be used for no more than 7 days on the nipple.[10] However, safer alternatives for treating thrush are available.[11]
Gentian Violet Side Effects in Breastfeeding
Gentian violet has caused oral ulceration in breastfed infants treated with 1% or 2% solution applied to the mouth and tongue for thrush.[1][2][3] A 2-week-old exclusively breastfed infant was treated for oral thrush with aqueous 1% gentian violet solution twice daily for 1 day. The parents discontinued it because they thought it was causing airway discomfort. After 2 days, it was restarted at 4 times a day. Cough and difficulty feeding developed after 1 day and the infant was then admitted to the hospital, ultimately requiring intubation.[4]