Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops while Breastfeeding

American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical experts exclusively recommend to breastfeed the baby for first 6 months. Once you introduce baby to other foods it is recommended to breastfeed for at least first year of babys life. Taking medication while breastfeeding could be tricky as most drugs pass in breast milk. In this article we will evaluate Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops for its safety in breastfeeding.

What is Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops used for?


BETAGAN® ophthalmic solution has been shown to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure and may be used in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Is using Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops unsafe in breastfeeding? Can there be bad consequences for baby if I use it while breastfeeding?

Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops low risk for breastfeeding
Levobunolol hydrochloride is the one and only active ingredient present in Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops. Levobunolol hydrochloride in itself is a low risk drug for lactation so it is easy to understand that Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops also comes in category of Low Risk item while breastfeeding. Below is the summary of Levobunolol hydrochloride in breastfeeding.

Statement of Manufacturer/Labeler about breastfeeding usage
Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Systemic beta-blockers and topical timolol maleate are known to be excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when BETAGAN® is administered to a nursing woman.

Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops Breastfeeding Analsys


Levobunolol hydrochloride while Breastfeeding

Low Risk

CAS Number: 47141-42-4

Systemic absorption is minimal. There have not been problems except when a maternal overdose has been absorbed. Like most ophthalmologic compounds for topical use a low dose and poor absorption make it compatible with breastfeeding.

Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops Breastfeeding Analsys - 2


Levobunolol hydrochloride while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 47141-42-4

Based on its physicochemical properties and its ophthalmic route of administration, levobunolol appears to present a moderately low risk to the breastfed infant. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops and breastfeeding

I already used Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops and meanwhile I breastfed my baby should I be concerned?

During whole lactation period you shall first discuss with your doctor and then together you shall decide whether you shall take that drug or not however if you have already taken Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops then you shall inform your doctor, But you should not be worried too much as Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops comes in category of low risk drug.


My health care provider has asked me to use Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops, what to do?

Though Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops dose not comes in category of safe drugs rather it comes in category of low risk but if your doctor is aware that you are breastfeeding your baby and has still recommended it then its advantages must be outweighing the risks.


If I am using Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Not much


Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Betagan | Levobunolol Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops in breastfeeding?

US
National Womens Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662 (TDD 888-220-5446) 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

UK
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300-100-0212 9.30am to 9.30pm, daily
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300-330-5453
La Leche League: 0345-120-2918
The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300-456-2421
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300-330-0700

Australia
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800-686-268 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Canada
Telehealth Ontario for breastfeeding: 1-866-797-0000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week