Can a nursing mother use azithromycin?

Can a Nursing Mother Use Azithromycin?
Azithromycin, a widely used macrolide antibiotic, is often prescribed to treat various bacterial infections. For nursing mothers, the question of whether it is safe to use this medication while breastfeeding is crucial, given the potential implications for both the mother and her infant.
Safety Profile in Breastfeeding
Research indicates that azithromycin is generally considered safe for use during breastfeeding. According to the LactMed database, the levels of azithromycin that transfer into breast milk are low. This means that the concentration of the drug in breast milk is not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants, even when the medication is administered in higher doses to infants themselves.
However, it is essential for nursing mothers to monitor their infants for any potential side effects. While serious adverse reactions are rare, some infants may experience gastrointestinal disturbances, such as vomiting or diarrhea, or even candidiasis (thrush or diaper rash) due to changes in gut flora.
Consultation with Healthcare Providers
Despite the reassuring data, it is always advisable for nursing mothers to consult with their healthcare providers before starting any medication, including azithromycin. The decision to use this antibiotic should involve a careful consideration of the benefits versus any potential risks. Healthcare professionals can provide personalized advice based on the mother’s health status and the specific circumstances surrounding her need for treatment.
Conclusion
In summary, azithromycin can be used by nursing mothers with a low risk of adverse effects on their infants. The low levels of the drug in breast milk and its established safety profile make it a viable option for treating bacterial infections in breastfeeding women. Nonetheless, ongoing monitoring of the infant and consultation with healthcare providers remain essential to ensure the well-being of both mother and child.

Is azithromycin safe for breastfeeding mom?

Azithromycin and breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says that your baby is healthy, it’s OK to take azithromycin while breastfeeding. Azithromycin passes into breast milk in small amounts. It has not been known to cause any side effects in breastfed babies.

Which antibiotics are not used in breastfeeding?

Antibiotics to Avoid While Breastfeeding
Clindamycin: Clindamycin can sometimes cause mild gastrointestinal (GI) effects like diarrhea, vomiting, diaper rash, or thrush in a breastfed baby2. Co-trimoxazole: Rarely prescribed to breastfeeding parents of newborns because of an association with increased jaundice3.

What does azithromycin treat?

Azithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections, such as bronchitis; pneumonia; sexually transmitted diseases (STD); and infections of the ears, lungs, sinuses, skin, throat, and reproductive organs.

Can azithromycin affect the baby?

Currently, there is no conclusive evidence to support that azithromycin use by pregnant women causes adverse outcomes in their offspring. Therefore, this agent should only be used during pregnancy when clinically indicated, if the benefits of treatment are expected to outweigh the potential risks.

What is the safest antibiotic during pregnancy?

Thankfully, there are several safe antibiotics during pregnancy. Penicillins, most cephalosporins, and azithromycin are considered first-choice options during pregnancy. Antibiotics like tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones shouldn’t be used in pregnancy in most cases.

Why is azithromycin no longer recommended?

However, in recent years, the cardiac safety of azithromycin has been questioned, primarily because of increasing concerns regarding the potential for QT interval prolongation, torsades de pointes, and cardiovascular death.

Which antibiotics are safe for breastfeeding?

The following antibiotics are all safe to take whilst breastfeeding;

• Amoxycillin, Amoxil ®,
• Azithromycin, Zithromax®,
• Cefaclor, Distaclor®,
• Cefuroxime, Zinnat®
• Cephalexin, Cefalexin, Keflex®,
• Cephradine, Velosef®,
• Clarithromycin, Klaricid®,
• Co-amoxiclav, Augmentin®,

What are the effects of azithromycin in babies?

Side effects you must do something about
If your child is short of breath or is wheezing, or their face, lips or tongue start to swell, or they develop a rash, they may be allergic to Azithromycin. Take your child to hospital or phone for an ambulance straight away.

Is azithromycin affected by milk?

Frequently asked questions about dairy product interactions
The manufacturers of cefdinir, cephalexin, and azithromycin (Zithromax) don’t caution against taking these antibiotics with milk. Similarly, the antibiotics amoxicillin (Amoxil) and Augmentin (amoxicillin / potassium clavulanate) can be taken with milk.

What are the nursing implications for azithromycin?

Instruct patient not to take azithromycin with food or antacids. May cause drowsiness and dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known. Advise patient to use sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent photosensitivity reactions.