Can clonazepam be taken for breastfeeding?

Clonazepam and Breastfeeding: A Comprehensive Overview
Clonazepam, a medication commonly prescribed for anxiety and seizure disorders, raises important questions regarding its safety during breastfeeding. As new mothers navigate the complexities of medication use while nursing, understanding the implications of clonazepam is crucial.
Safety Considerations
The consensus among health professionals is that clonazepam can be used cautiously during breastfeeding, although it is not without risks. The Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) indicates that while clonazepam is excreted in breast milk in small amounts, its long half-life poses a potential risk for accumulation in breastfed infants. This accumulation could lead to adverse effects, including sedation and weight issues. Reports have documented instances of apnoea and cyanosis in infants exposed to benzodiazepines, including clonazepam.
Despite these concerns, some experts suggest that the benefits of using clonazepam may outweigh the risks, particularly for mothers who require the medication for conditions like epilepsy or severe anxiety. The World Health Organization has classified clonazepam as compatible with breastfeeding when used at normal doses, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring of the infant.
Monitoring and Recommendations
Healthcare providers often recommend that mothers taking clonazepam while breastfeeding closely monitor their infants for signs of sedation, such as excessive drowsiness or difficulty feeding. Regular assessments of the infant’s weight and developmental milestones are also advised to ensure that they are thriving.
In a study involving mothers who used benzodiazepines while nursing, only one out of twenty-two mothers reported sedation in her infant, suggesting that while risks exist, they may not be widespread. This highlights the importance of individualized care and the need for mothers to discuss their specific situations with healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
In summary, while clonazepam is not outright contraindicated during breastfeeding, it should be approached with caution. The decision to use this medication should involve a thorough discussion between the mother and her healthcare provider, weighing the benefits of treatment against potential risks to the infant. With appropriate monitoring and support, many mothers can successfully manage their health conditions while continuing to breastfeed.

Which drug is usually avoided with breastfeeding?

Table. Examples of drugs contraindicated in breastfeeding.

Drug	Comment
Iodine	High doses (>150 micrograms daily) lead to risk of infant hypothyroidism
Lithium	Breastfeeding only feasible with rigorous monitoring
Radiopharmaceuticals	Contact obstetric information service
Retinoids (oral)	Potential for serious adverse effects

What is the safest benzodiazepine in breastfeeding?

Evidence from nursing mothers indicates that lorazepam does not cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants with usual maternal dosages and that no special precautions are required. Using Kelly (2012) data lorazepam may be taken as one of the safest benzodiazepines if use is important.

How long does Klonopin stay in your breastmilk?

Klonopin and Breastfeeding
Because of its long half-life, Klonopin will likely be present in breastmilk for 1–2 weeks after taking a dose.

Are benzodiazepines used in nursing homes?

Nursing home residents are vulnerable to adverse effects of benzodiazepines. The rate of falls- and fractures-related injury is higher among nursing home residents compared to community-dwelling older adults, presumable because of higher risk factors such as poor cognition and physical function [16].

What anxiety relief is safe for breastfeeding?

Safe medication in breastfeeding
They include, in no particular order: SSRI antidepressants e.g. sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine all have anti- anxiety activity. They take 4 to 6 weeks to exert full benefit. Tri-cyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine.

What medication is used for anxiety in nursing?

Anxiolytics Nursing Interventions

• Lorazepam.
• Diazepam.
• Alprazolam.
• Clonazepam.

Does clonazepam have to be weaned?

Do not stop taking this medication or take fewer doses without talking to your doctor. Stopping clonazepam suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms that may last for several weeks to more than 12 months. Your doctor probably will decrease your clonazepam dose gradually.

What is the best sedative for breastfeeding patients?

This includes the benzodiazepines and antihistamines such as promethazine. However, the ‘z- drugs’ (zolpidem and zopiclone) are preferred for the short-term management of insomnia during breastfeeding, as they have shorter half-lives than the benzodiazepines and appear to pass into breast milk in small amounts.

Is clonazepam safe for breastfeeding?

If your doctor, health visitor or midwife says your baby is healthy, you can usually take clonazepam if you are breastfeeding. There is not much information about taking clonazepam while breastfeeding, but it is thought that it passes into breast milk in very small amounts.

Who Cannot take clonazepam?

have ever had an allergic reaction to clonazepam or any other medicine. have myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness. have sleep apnoea, a condition that causes breathing problems when you’re asleep. have lung, liver or kidney problems.