Is L-Methyldopa Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use L-Methyldopa? Is L-Methyldopa safe for nursing mother and child? Does L-Methyldopa extracts into breast milk? Does L-Methyldopa has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can L-Methyldopa influence milk supply or can L-Methyldopa decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
L-Methyldopa lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for L-Methyldopa is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of L-Methyldopa is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research also indicates that L-Methyldopa does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of L-Methyldopa 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 L-Methyldopa usage in lactation
Excreted into breast milk in non-significant amount without side-effects observed in breastfed infants from mothers who were on this medication. Plasma levels in those infants were undetectable or very low. Prolactin level may be increased with the appearance of galactorrhea. Such increase of Prolactin level will not affect breastfeeding ability of a mother who has an established lactation. The American Academy of Pediatrics rates is as compatible with breastfeeding. List of Medicines (WHO-2002): compatible with Breastfeeding.
Answer by DrLact: About L-Methyldopa usage in lactation
Because of the low levels of L-Methyldopa in breastmilk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. No special precautions are required.
L-Methyldopa Side Effects in Breastfeeding
No acute or long-term adverse effects were reported in any 15 infants ranging in age from less than 1 week to 8 weeks of age whose mothers were taking L-Methyldopa 0.25 to 1.5 g/day orally.[1][2][3][4]
L-Methyldopa Possible Effects in Breastfeeding
L-Methyldopa can increase serum prolactin and has caused galactorrhea.[5][6][7][8] The maternal prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
Alternate Drugs
Brimonidine(Safe)
Guanfacine(Low Risk)
Methyldopa(Safe)
Benazepril(Safe)
Levobunolol(Low Risk)
Hydrochlorothiazide(Safe)
Amlodipine(Low Risk)
Labetalol(Safe)
Hydralazine(Safe)
Nitrendipine(Safe)
Bosentan(Low Risk)
Furosemide(Low Risk)
Nisoldipine(Low Risk)
Carvedilol(Low Risk)
Fosinopril(Low Risk)
Nimodipine(Safe)
Nebivolol(Unsafe)
Bisoprolol(Low Risk)
Felodipine(Low Risk)
Guanfacine(Low Risk)
Nifedipine(Safe)
Valsartan(Low Risk)
Atenolol(Unsafe)
Enalapril(Safe)
Terazosin(Unsafe)
Acebutolol(Unsafe)
Diltiazem(Safe)
Nicardipine(Safe)
Minoxidil(Safe)
Telmisartan(Unsafe)
Verapamil(Safe)
Timolol(Safe)
Prazosin(Unsafe)
Sotalol(Low Risk)
Trandolapril(Dangerous)
Chlorthalidone(Dangerous)
Propranolol(Safe)
Methyldopa(Safe)
Losartan(Low Risk)
Torsemide(Low Risk)
Chlorothiazide(Safe)
Spironolactone(Safe)
Captopril(Safe)
Lisinopril(Low Risk)
Irbesartan(Unsafe)
Reserpine(Unsafe)
Bumetanide(Low Risk)
Nadolol(Unsafe)
Isradipine(Low Risk)
Ramipril(Low Risk)
Metoprolol(Safe)
Indapamide(Low Risk)
Eprosartan(Low Risk)
Bendroflumethiazide(Unsafe)
Doxazosin(Safe)