Azithromycin Tablet Breastfeeding

Modern medicine has evolved so much so that sooner or later every breastfeeding mother needs to take it in one form or other. Medication that is present in mothers blood will transfer into her breast milk to some extent. Most drugs do so at low levels and pose no real risk to infants but then there are some exceptions. In This post will discuss whether Azithromycin Tablet is safe in breast-feeding or not.

What is Azithromycin Tablet used for?


Azithromycin Tablets USP are indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections (pneumonia: see WARNINGS ) caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. As recommended dosages, durations of therapy and applicable patient populations vary among these infections, please see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION for specific dosing recommendations. Adults Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Acute bacterial sinusitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Community-acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy. NOTE: Azithromycin, USP should not be used in patients with pneumonia who are judged to be inappropriate for oral therapy because of moderate to severe illness or risk factors such as any of the following: patients with cystic fibrosis, patients with nosocomially acquired infections, patients with known or suspected bacteremia, patients requiring hospitalization, elderly or debilitated patients, or patients with significant underlying health problems that may compromise their ability to respond to their illness (including immunodeficiency or functional asplenia). Pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in individuals who cannot use first-line therapy. NOTE: Penicillin by the intramuscular route is the usual drug of choice in the treatment of Streptococcus pyogenes infection and the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever. Azithromycin, USP is often effective in the eradication of susceptible strains of Streptococcus pyogenes from the nasopharynx. Because some strains are resistant to azithromycin, USP, susceptibility tests should be performed when patients are treated with azithromycin, USP. Data establishing efficacy of azithromycin, USP in subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available. Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Streptococcus agalactiae. Abscesses usually require surgical drainage. Urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid). Due to the small number of women included in clinical trials, the efficacy of azithromycin, USP in the treatment of chancroid in women has not been established. Azithromycin Tablets USP, at the recommended dose, should not be relied upon to treat syphilis. Antimicrobial agents used in high doses for short periods of time to treat non-gonococcal urethritis may mask or delay the symptoms of incubating syphilis. All patients with sexually-transmitted urethritis or cervicitis should have a serologic test for syphilis and appropriate cultures for gonorrhea performed at the time of diagnosis. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy and follow-up tests for these diseases should be initiated if infection is confirmed. Appropriate culture and susceptibility tests should be performed before treatment to determine the causative organism and its susceptibility to azithromycin, USP. Therapy with Azithromycin Tablets USP may be initiated before results of these tests are known; once the results become available, antimicrobial therapy should be adjusted accordingly. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Azithromycin Tablets USP and other antibacterial drugs, Azithromycin Tablets USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. Pediatric Patients (See PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use and CLINICAL STUDIES, Pediatric Patients .) Acute otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae. (For specific dosage recommendation, see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .) Community-acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy. (For specific dosage recommendation, see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .) NOTE: Azithromycin, USP should not be used in pediatric patients with pneumonia who are judged to be inappropriate for oral therapy because of moderate to severe illness or risk factors such as any of the following: patients with cystic fibrosis, patients with nosocomially acquired infections, patients with known or suspected bacteremia, patients requiring hospitalization, or patients with significant underlying health problems that may compromise their ability to respond to their illness (including immunodeficiency or functional asplenia). Pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as an alternative to first-line therapy in individuals who cannot use first-line therapy. (For specific dosage recommendation, see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .) NOTE: Penicillin by the intramuscular route is the usual drug of choice in the treatment of Streptococcus pyogenes infection and the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever. Azithromycin, USP is often effective in the eradication of susceptible strains of Streptococcus pyogenes from the nasopharynx. Because some strains are resistant to azithromycin, USP, susceptibility tests should be performed when patients are treated with azithromycin, USP. Data establishing efficacy of azithromycin, USP in subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available. Appropriate culture and susceptibility tests should be performed before treatment to determine the causative organism and its susceptibility to azithromycin, USP. Therapy with Azithromycin Tablets USP may be initiated before results of these tests are known; once the results become available, antimicrobial therapy should be adjusted accordingly.

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

Azithromycin Tablet safe for breastfeeding
Active ingredient in Azithromycin Tablet is Azithromycin anhydrous and based on our analysis of Azithromycin anhydrous it appears that using Azithromycin Tablet is safe in breastfeeding. Below is analysis of Azithromycin anhydrous while breastfeeding.

Statement of Manufacturer/Labeler about breastfeeding usage
Nursing Mothers It is not known whether azithromycin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when azithromycin is administered to a nursing woman.

Azithromycin Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys


Azithromycin anhydrous while Breastfeeding

Safe

CAS Number: 83905-01-5

Excreted in very low levels into breast milk and commonly used for pediatric treatment. Early exposition to Macrolides (mostly Erythromycin) have been related to hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Avoiding use in the first post-partum month would be advisable yet it may occurred while breastfeeding. Be aware of false negative bacterial cultures in the infant when the mother is on antibiotics. Also, diarrheal disease due to imbalance of intestinal flora is possible.


Azithromycin Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys - 2


Azithromycin anhydrous while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 83905-01-5

Because of the low levels of azithromycin in breastmilk and use in infants in higher doses, it would not be expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Monitor the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). Unconfirmed epidemiologic evidence indicates that the risk of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in infants might be increased by maternal use of macrolide antibiotics during breastfeeding. A single dose of azithromycin given during labor to women who were nasal carriers of pathogenic and reduced the counts of these bacteria in breastmilk in one study.



I am nursing mother and I have already used Azithromycin Tablet, what should I do?

As usage of Azithromycin Tablet is mostly safe while breastfeeding hence there should not be any concern. In case of any change in behavior or health of your baby you should inform your health care provider about usage of Azithromycin Tablet else no further action is required.


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

Definitely, Azithromycin Tablet is safe in lactation for baby. No wonder your doctor has recommended it.


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

No extra baby monitoring required while mother is using Azithromycin Tablet


Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Azithromycin 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