Breastfeeding - Anyone Had to Take Prescription Medicine?

Hi H.,

I've had the misfortune of having to take several meds while pg and nursing (surgeries and kidney stones - ouch!). Most were pain meds not antibiotics...I do know enough to suggest you 1) make sure you can't take what was perscirbed via your doc and/or the site listed in the other post 2) If you can't BF on that med, see if an alternative is available. 3) If you really can't BF for 10 days continue to pump pump pump. My son was only 6 mo when I had a big surgery. I was unable to even pump for 3 days b/c I was so out of it at the hospital and was completely stressed b/c he was only BF'd. When I returned home I was able to re-start my milk supply with a lot of extra pumping and BF'd him exclusively from that point until he weaned.

Try not to stress - much easier said than done, I know! Good luck!

I'm curious what medication? I remember being sick and having to be on antibiotics and other med's while breast feeding. I have asthma & allergies so I am on a few meds. There are so many medications that dr's really don't know if they affect breast milk, while other antibiotics are relatively safe. My local Pharmacist is my best friend in moments like this. They can give you great guidance in this area and, if they determine that breast feeding is a concern, they can recommend an alternative and/or give you guidance when the best time to take your medications, during the day, should they deem the med. fairly safe. I really hope you get better soon.

I also used zithromax while breastfeeding when my daughter was 10 mos old. It is fine to use while breastfeeding. I don't know why your doc told you to pump and dump. Check with a lactation consultant or see what info you can find out about the prescription online. My dr is very pro-breastfeeding (she acts as a lactation consultant for the entire practice) so I very much trust her about taking a med while breastfeeding. There is no reason the doc can't prescribe something that is ok to use while breastfeeding. You shouldn't have to pump and dump even if you choose to ask for another prescription.

Hi H.,

Are you allergic to amoxicillin (penicillin derivative) because that also works for strept throat and you wouldn't have to pump and dump. My daughter is 10 months old and still breastfeeding. I just had a combination sinus infection/ear infection and took Omnicef for 10 days. I didn't have to stop breastfeeding because that is what they give my daughter when she has an ear infection. Check with your OB/GYN as to what antibiotics he/she deems safe for you to take. Pumping and dumping is such a pain to do. I hope you feel better soon!

If you pump an ddump for 10 days there is a chance that your supply will decrease, but if your daughter goes back to nursing afterwards, chances are that she will be able to rebuild your supply. However, there are other concerns besides just your supply. You turning your daughter down for nursing is one of those concerns, as your daughter may refuse to take a bottle from you, and if not, she may refuse to take the breast again once your prescription is done. Another concern would be that you have enough frozen milk to last for 10 days, since she will probably want more milk from the bottle than she generally nurses, both because the bottle is easier to drink from and because she will be stressed that you are refusing to nurse her.

I would strongly recommend that you contact your local La Leche League and ask them about the safety of zithromax during breastfeeding, or if there is an alternative you could take. Here is the site with Chicago LLL leader info: http://www.lllusa.org/IL/WebChicagoIL.html and this is a link to an LLL page about breastfeeding while on medication: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/medications.html
hope you're feeling better soon!!

I would call your local La Leche League leader and see if she can look up if you can take that med while bfing. If not see if there is an alternative. That is crazy for them to tell you you just have to pump and dump for 10 days. I would do some digging I'm sure there is an alternative med that would not interupt your breastfeeding!!

Hi, H.,

You may check with your doctor or pharmacist and have them check the literature on zithromax to see if the drug is CONTRAINDICATED while breastfeeding.

Did the doctor know you were breastfeeding?

Regardless, the drug company has this knowledge in their product description---check with your pharmacist-

Take care, hope you get better-

L. P

H. - I don't have much new to add, but I had strep throat and pneumonia in May and the doctor prescribed azithromycin (aka z-pack - a five day series). I think that's the generic name (not the brand name). It's safe for breastfeeding. You might get your OB's or pediatricians input, or I think La Leche League has a call in number for questions. There are several safe anti-biotic options for B/F moms.

Hi- you don't mention which drug you got prescribed but it is highly unlikely that you need to pump and dump for a strep med. Please do come back and tell us which drug. Check with a lactation consultant at the hospital where you delivered- doctors are really not breastfeeding experts. Here is a link where you can search for drugs and the scientific data on safety during lactation: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT This is a government website.

Glad you got the info you needed. Just wanted to let you know about the Illinois Teratogen Information Service. You can call their hotline for information about this stuff. They can tell you what class the drug is in, and why. They actually told me what the studies found. Like the drug is in the class because of animal studies, but we have studies from humans that show it's safe. I think the info is...

680 N. Lake Shore Dr, Suite #1230 Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 252 4847 or ###-###-####
http://www.fetal-exposure.org/

I had to take amoxicillan for breast infection and a second time for sinus infection and cont'd breastfeeding w/ both. Check w/ lactation consultant or try kellymom.com and look up the medication. My daughter (also 7 mos) experienced some upset tummy from the amount that passed through to her. I gave her a quality probiotic (by syringe) to help her digestive system and it helped a lot. Good luck.

C.
(1st time mom of 7 month old girl; working 4 days/week

See if there is an alternative available first and foremost. And prior to even asking your doctor who prescribed you the zithromax I would call the lactation consultant at the hospital where you delivered at and ask them what an alternative would be for you. After you have some advice from a breastfeeding expert I would then call you doctor. I would be extremely afraid to not breastfeed for 10 days for numerous reasons and I do pump and my daughter does take a bottle when I go to work but that just seems like a long time to me to not be able to BF at all!! Good luck and just ask the experts they should be able to help you! get better!

Hi H.,
That is wonderful that you are still nursing. I am a nurse midwife. I can not give you medical advice, but I would consult with the lactation consultants at the hospital where you delived and get the true medical advice from them.

Zithromax is SAFE for breastfeeding!! I can't believe your doctor would tell you to pump and dump for it. It doesn't sound like he/she is very breastfeeding friendly. You may want to consider finding a different care provider. I am sorry you were given wrong information and I hope you feel better soon. Remember to keep your fluid intake up as much as possible to keep your milk supply up until you feel better.

ETA: if Zithromax is safe for a baby to take, it is most likely safe for you to take while breastfeeding. I know for a fact they ped's prescribe Zithromax all the time to babies. You are fine to take this med and hope you feel better soon. Really, this is a common drug. In no way should you not be able to breastfeed and take this. Your doctor should KNOW this. Please consider finding another doctor and I hope you feel better soon.

I was able to take amoxicillian while breastfeeding. I don't see why you would have to pump and dump....there are medications that are compatible with breastfeeding.

If you exclusively pump and dump, I do believe your supply will go down...at least mine did with DD when I started pumping more than nursing.

Check with another source, I used zithromax both when I was pregnanant and when I was nursing, you should be able to still breastfeed.
In the event that you are not, while I was breastfeeding I had to have my gaulbladder removed, and I had to pump and toss and supplemenent with formula, once I was able to nurse again (4 days), both my baby and I went back to our regular schedule.

I can't even remember what prescription drug I had to take while I was breastfeeding, but I did have to do the same thing you're doing. Do you have enough breast milk stored in your freezer for 10 days? If so, you're completely fine. As long as you're pumping & dumping while you're on the antibiotic, your milk will not dry up. I know that the thought of dumping that milk is disheartening...it's like liquid gold! But you obviously don't want that to get into your child's system either. If you feel like you don't have enough breat milk for the entire 10 days, you can always mix a little bit of formula w/ each bottle of breast milk that you give her. OR you could give her some extra cereal to minimize the amount of formula she needs. Plus at 7 months, she's probably eating some "solid" foods, right (like baby fruits & veggies)? All of those things will help w/ the quantity of milk that she will need. I hope this helps you! Good luck!

As far as I know zithromax (Z-Pac) is completely ok to take when breastfeeding. I even took it when pregnant and I had strep throat. Did you check with a lactation consultant? I did a review on Cygnus Lactation on Mamasource, which includes her number. PLEASE call and confirm before pumping/dumping, especially b/c there are other antibiotics (assuming zithromax is not ok) that you can take that are totally fine.

Yes, I have been there and they were able to prescribe something I could take and breastfeed. I wish I could remember what it was now. if you have already started the meds, just keep pumping like you would and it should keep your supply up. I lnow it isn't the same, but the main objective is your health. I would, however, check with your OB, they may have suggestions for another type of drug.

H.:

Zithromax should not be a problem...

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
www.breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com

Very very very unlikely that you need to be doing that. Most doctors just don't know what they are doing when it comes to advising you re: nursing so they take the easy road and tell you not to just to cover their butts. Most antibiotics are fine. It's hard to say without you saying what you are taking, but go to this site: http://www.safefetus.com/ or this site http://www.kellymom.com and look it up. Also there is a book by Dr. Thomas Hale that lists all the drugs that are safe or not safe while breastfeeding.

I took amoxicillin while breastfeeding and never had to stop (my daughter had just been on it as well). I know that my supply would have dropped dramatically with 10 days of only pumping, not to mention it being hard on you and your daughter! Is there another MD or a lactation consultant in your area that you can consult for BF friendly antibiotics? It doesn't sound like your MD is either very well informed or sensitive to the importance of breastfeeding. Good luck!

H.,

I recommend checking with a LaLeche League Leader (very accessible by phone!) or read up on them at www.kellymom.com.

In my experience, the only drugs that are absolutely banned are chemotherapy treatments and anti-depressants, etc. Doctors are required to err on the side of caution.

Hope you feel better soon!

as a nurse in a peds office there are lots of moms who have to take prescriptions. as long as you pump your breast will continue to produce. just remember to drink lots of liquids. a week will go by before you know it. get some rest and get better.

H.,

I have exclusively breast-fed 3 kids, each for 13 months. I would definitely contact a lactation consultant before you start taking the zithromax. I was given all kinds of mis-information from doctors about breast-feeding. If you pump and dump exclusively fore 10 days, your milk supply will really dwindle, or your nipples will be so sore that you'll have to stop. I'm not a doctor, but I would imagine there is an alternative treatment for you. I had good luck with the lactactation consultants at Hinsdale Hospital. They will talk with any new mom, not only those who delivered babies at Hinsdale. Also, check out the website www.kellymom.com for information on medication and breast-feeding. Good luck!

My midwife says that as long as you still have SOME milk, even if it is a small amount, that you can get it back up. My milk took a serious dip when I started dieting to lose the last of my pregnancy weight, but I drank tons of that Mother's Milk tea by Traditional Medicinals which you can get at health food markets, but I also saw it at my Dominick's. When you're done with the medicine, just curl up in bed with her for a day or two and nurse a lot. You make milk faster laying down, and her frequent nursing demand will make your breasts respond quickly. Also, drink a TON of tea and wter. You'll be peeing constantly, but you need the fluid. Your milk will pop right back up, you'll see.

I have a 5 month old baby. When she was about 2 months old, I thought I was getting mastitis so my ob prescribed a 5 day antibiotic. I can't remember the name of it. I took a wait & see approach so I didn't end up taking it because it got better on its own. However, my doctor said that it would be safe for my exclusively breast fed baby. I would check with your ob/gyn. He/she may be able to tell you a good safe antiobiotic so that you can keep nursing. Good luck & hope you're feeling better soon!

Hi H., if you told your doctor that you were breast feeding, then he/she should have prescribed you something that would be fine while breastfeeding. I am pretty sure zithromax is totally fine. I was dx with a severe sinus infection when I was breast feeding my daughter and was placed on a 5 day z pack. I would feed my daughter her nightly feeding, put her to bed, then take the pill. This way, it had a lot of time to work it's way out of my system until the morning when she would feed again. Also, keep in mind that even if she does get a little bit, it could be good for her, so that she doesn't come down with your strep too. It will protect her, since she will get it through your milk. I wouldn't pump and dump (unless the dr specifically told you to do so and that shouldn't be), I don't see any need for that. I breast feed both my daughters for a full year and was very successful and loved it!!

Hi H.,
Sorry for the late response. Hope you are getting better by this time. I am a Nurse Practitioner and a Lactation Consultant. First of all let me congratulate you for exclusive breastfeeding so far. Keep up the good work, you are giving the most valuable gift for your baby which last a lifetime!!

I like to give you some information on Medication use while breastfeeding. According American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) very few medications are contraindicated while Breastfeeding. In the book 'Medications and Mother's Milk' by Dr Hale Zithromax is listed as category "L2" which is a safer drug.
("L1" safest "L5" Contraindicated). You could visit his website www.ibreastfeeding.com or call 806 379 9900/ 800 378 1317 for more information. Also call AAP for information and clarification.
Next time if you have to take any antibiotics or any other medication ask the Dr. to prescribe a safer drug instead of compromising your Breastfeeding. There are so many other antibiotics effective for Strepthroat safe to take while breastfeeding.

Now if you have to stop BF while taking meds or any other reason, make sure you pump at least 8 times/24 hrs using a high-quality Breastpump.

Feel free to call me ###-###-#### if you have any question or like to get more information.
Sincerely,
L.

Did your doctor tell you to stop nursing? If so, he/she must not be an advocate of nursing. I would speak with your OB/GYN about the drug transfers or refer to the advice from the lactation specialists here on MamaSource and in your area.

If your daughter is exclusively breastfed I doubt she will take a bottle, which will cause stress for you both. Do you have a pump? If it is a hand pump, it will probably take quite a bit of time and it may not stimulate you the same way nursing does which could result in a decrease in your supply.

I by all means do not know everything but, when nursing is so difficult to establish at times, I would not do anything to disturb that routine.

If you were told not to take Zithromax and nurse, I would definitely ask for a different drug. Zithromax is not the ONLY medication used to treat strep throat.

Good Luck. And feel better.

Hi,

I had pnemonia during the first 9 weeks of my pregnancy. The dr.'s had to give me an antibiotic and ensured me that it was safe to take during the pregnancy. If you want, communicate to the dr. that you are breastfeeding and want to make sure that the medicine he/she is prescribing is safe for the baby. If it turns out that you have to pump and dump for the duration of the medicine, your milk will probably drop, but once you start back breastfeeding regulary, it should gradually come back up (supply and demand)....good luck and hope you feel better!

Sorry for the delay. I just got in touch with a good friend, a lactation consultant and nurse. Okay...so you CAN keep breastfeeding!!! When you are taking Zithromax (azythromiacin) and nursing, research shows that .4mL per kilogram per day are excreted into the milk. At the same time, if a baby needs to be prescribed the same Zithromax medicine, a safe dosage is 10 mL per kilogram per day for the first day and then 5 mL per kg per day for 4 more days. HUGE difference. If 10 mL is okay for a baby, then certainly .4mL is totally fine. It is considered a level 2 medicine which means that they haven't done enough research to call it a level 1 (completely harmless). So...stop having to stress out about pumping and dumping and enjoy nursing your baby without guilt!!!!! Again, sorry for the delay, but I wanted to give you accurate information. Take care!
****Information came from Dr. Hale's "Medications and Mother's Milk"...he's the guru for this kind of stuff.