Can you breastfeed while on seizure medication?

Breastfeeding While on Seizure Medication: A Comprehensive Overview
For new mothers with epilepsy, the question of whether they can safely breastfeed while taking anti-seizure medications (ASMs) is a significant concern. The good news is that, for most women, breastfeeding is considered safe even when on these medications, provided that certain precautions are taken.
Safety of Breastfeeding with ASMs
Research indicates that most anti-seizure medications are either safe or moderately safe during breastfeeding. The consensus among healthcare professionals is that mothers with epilepsy should be encouraged to breastfeed, as breast milk provides essential nutrients for infants and can enhance bonding between mother and child.
The literature on this topic is evolving, with studies showing that the excretion levels of ASMs in breast milk are generally low. This means that the amount of medication an infant might receive through breastfeeding is minimal and typically not associated with significant adverse effects.
Monitoring and Consultation
While breastfeeding is generally safe, it is crucial for mothers to engage in careful monitoring of their infants. This includes being vigilant for any unusual symptoms or behaviors in the baby, particularly if the mother is taking medications known to cause sedation, such as barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Consulting with both a neurologist and a pediatrician is highly recommended to create a tailored breastfeeding plan that considers the specific medications being taken.
Specific Medications and Their Effects
Certain ASMs, like lamotrigine, are considered moderately safe during breastfeeding, although monitoring of the infant’s platelet count and plasma levels may be advised. Other newer medications, such as levetiracetam, have also been shown to have low levels in breast milk and are generally well-tolerated.
However, mothers should be aware that some medications can lead to increased drowsiness in infants. Therefore, it is essential to discuss any potential side effects with healthcare providers to ensure the baby’s safety.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding while on seizure medication is not only possible but often encouraged. With proper medical guidance and monitoring, mothers can provide their infants with the benefits of breast milk while managing their epilepsy effectively. As always, open communication with healthcare professionals is key to navigating this journey safely.

What medications should be avoided while breastfeeding?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding include:

• codeine phosphate.
• decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow.
• some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them.
• aspirin for pain relief.

What is forbidden in epilepsy?

Foods that contain stimulants, such as the caffeine found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, soft drinks, or chocolate may trigger seizures by interfering with epilepsy medication or other nervous system pathways. 5. Alcohol can trigger seizures and create risk factors for seizures, such as interactions with medications.

What drugs can be passed through breast milk?

Almost any drug that’s present in the blood will transfer into breast milk to some extent. Most medications do so at low levels and pose no real risk to most infants. There are exceptions, though. Some drugs can be found in high levels in breast milk.

Can a baby have a seizure while breastfeeding?

An otherwise healthy female newborn started having epileptic seizures lasting up to 5 minutes induced by breastfeeding at age of 2 weeks. The convulsive seizure started with crying and coughing followed by opisthotonus, flexion of upper extremities, extension of lower extremities, and generalized jerks in extremities.

What happens if you breastfeed with drugs in your system?

There is still a lot we don’t know about the effects of drugs on your baby when you are breastfeeding but it’s thought that, even at low levels, taking drugs is likely to: make your baby drowsy, feed poorly and have disturbed sleep patterns and poor weight gain. cause behavioural problems.

Can babies have seizures while breastfeeding?

To our knowledge, there are three reported cases of neonatal eating epilepsy with a much shorter follow up of 4–14 months. 7, 8, 9 An infant with benign familial neonatal convulsions developed hemiclonic and multifocal clonic seizures lasting 1–2 min. The majority occurred immediately after breast feeds.

Can you breastfeed while taking epilepsy medication?

There have been some reports of side effects in breastfed babies, including feeling drowsy, vomiting and not feeding well. This usually happens when you have taken other epilepsy medicines at the same time. But in most cases, babies do not get any side effects.

What to avoid when taking seizure medication?

However, pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan can also lower the seizure threshold and are common ingredients in many cold medications. Guaifenesin does not seem to be as much of a problem. Some people are also sensitive to antihistamines, so we suggest that you avoid diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec).

Is breastfeeding contraindicated in epilepsy patients?

Anti-seizure medication (ASM) and breastfeeding
Some drugs, such as phenobarbital and primidone, can pass more easily into breastmilk and can make a baby sleepy, so it may be a good idea to alternate between formula milk and breastfeeds.

What is not recommended for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.