Dexamethasone Tablet while Breastfeeding

Q: I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Dexamethasone Tablet , is it safe?

Dexamethasone Tablet comes in category of low risk and if your doctor is aware that you are breastfeeding it should be ok to use without much concerns.

Dexamethasone Tablet while Breastfeeding

Do you know that important immune protective proteins are present in breast milk? Breast milk also contains required vitamins, minerals, saturated and un saturated fats. These things are extremely important for development of healthy brain. If you are taking any medicine for short term or for the chronic reason then that passes in breast milk as well, that is why you should always check the drug with your health care provider. Here at DrLact we try to analyze drugs based on available researches and in this sheet we will present our analysis for Dexamethasone Tablet.

What is Dexamethasone Tablet used for?

Allergic States Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis, and serum sickness. Dermatologic Diseases Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, exfoliative erythroderma, mycosis fungoides, pemphigus, and severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; may be used in conjunction with synthetic mineralocorticoid analogs where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypercalcemia associated with cancer, and nonsuppurative thyroiditis. Gastrointestinal Diseases To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in regional enteritis and ulcerative colitis. Hematologic Disorders Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia (Diamond-Blackfan anemia), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, pure red cell aplasia, and selected cases of secondary thrombocytopenia. Miscellaneous Diagnostic testing of adrenocortical hyperfunction, trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement, tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy. Neoplastic Diseases For the palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas. Nervous System Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, cerebral edema associated with primary or metastatic brain tumor, craniotomy, or head injury. Ophthalmic Diseases Sympathetic ophthalmia, temporal arteritis, uveitis, and ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids. Renal Diseases To induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome or that due to lupus erythematosus. Respiratory Diseases Berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy, idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonias, symptomatic sarcoidosis. Rheumatic Disorders As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in acute gouty arthritis, acute rheumatic carditis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy). For the treatment of dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Is Dexamethasone Tablet usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?

Dexamethasone Tablet low risk for breastfeeding

Dexamethasone Tablet contains only one active ingredient that is Dexamethasone. We have analyzed the usage of Dexamethasone in breastfeeding and our analysis suggest that Dexamethasone poses Low risk for infant while breastfeeding and hence Dexamethasone Tablet itself shall be considered Low risk item for breastfeeding.

Dexamethasone Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys

Dexamethasone while Breastfeeding

Low Risk

CAS Number: 50-02-2

Pharmacokinetic data indicate that excretion into breast milk in significant levels is possible, hence for long term treatments other steroids with lower excretion would be advisable. Other steroids (Betamethasone) that are administered prior to delivery can produce a delay of Lactogenesis phase II (milk's coming in) and a decrease of milk production within the first post-partum week. Intra-articular injected large doses of other steroids (Triamcinolone, Methylprednisolone) may transiently affect milk production. A decrease of prolactin release after administration of dexamethasone has been observed that may decrease milk production mostly in the first post-partum weeks. Topical use: Because of a low absorption through skin significant excretion into breast milk is unlikely. Additionally, a high protein binding makes excretion even more unlikely. Whenever a treatment for nipple eczema or dermatitis is required the lowest potency steroid compound should be used. It should be applied right after the feed to make sure it has disappeared before the next nursing occurs. Otherwise, wipe cream out with a clean gauze. Do not continuously use for longer than a week. Reportedly, a case of mineral-steroid toxicity has occurred due to continuous use of cream on the nipple. Creams, gels or similar products that contain paraffin or mineral oil should not be used on the nipple to avoid absorption by the infant. Corticoids are frequently prescribed in Pediatrics with no side effects on the infant when indicated for short-term or sporadical use. On nursing mothers a timely use or not long-term treatment is compatible with breastfeeding along with the assessment of milk production. WHO Model List of Essential Drugs 2002: Compatible with breastfeeding in single dose. No data is available on long-term use.

Dexamethasone Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys - 2

Dexamethasone while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 50-02-2

Because no information is available on the use of systemic dexamethasone during breastfeeding, an alternate corticosteroid may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. 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.

I already used Dexamethasone Tablet 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 Dexamethasone Tablet then you shall inform your doctor, But you should not be worried too much as Dexamethasone Tablet comes in category of low risk drug.

I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Dexamethasone Tablet, is it safe?

Dexamethasone Tablet comes in category of low risk and if your doctor is aware that you are breastfeeding it should be ok to use without much concerns.

If I am using Dexamethasone Tablet, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Not much

Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Dexamethasone Tablet 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