Can you take hydroxyzine and breastfeeding?

Understanding Hydroxyzine and Breastfeeding
Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine commonly prescribed for conditions such as anxiety, allergies, and itching. For breastfeeding mothers, the safety of using hydroxyzine is a significant concern, as medications can affect both the mother and the infant.
Safety Profile for Breastfeeding
Research indicates that small occasional doses of hydroxyzine are generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. According to the LactMed database, these doses are unlikely to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, caution is advised with larger doses or prolonged use, as they may lead to drowsiness in infants or potentially decrease milk supply, especially when combined with other medications that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.
Moreover, hydroxyzine is metabolized into cetirizine, which has been shown to be well tolerated by young infants. This suggests that the risks associated with short-term hydroxyzine treatment during breastfeeding are low.
Monitoring and Considerations
While hydroxyzine can be used during breastfeeding, it is essential for mothers to monitor their infants for any signs of sedation or irritability. Health professionals often recommend that mothers using this medication should also keep an eye on their infant’s feeding ability.
Additionally, some anecdotal evidence suggests that mothers who have used hydroxyzine for insomnia reported a decrease in milk supply after discontinuing the medication, indicating that while it may be safe in the short term, its effects on lactation can vary.
Conclusion
In summary, hydroxyzine can be taken by breastfeeding mothers with small occasional doses deemed safe for infants. However, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to weigh the benefits against potential risks, especially for longer-term use. Monitoring the infant’s response and feeding patterns is also recommended to ensure their well-being while the mother is on this medication.

What are the nursing precautions for hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine pamoate is contraindicated for patients who have shown a previous hypersensitivity to any component of this medication. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Since many drugs are so excreted, hydroxyzine should not be given to nursing mothers.

How much hydroxyzine can a baby take?

Children 6 years of age and older—50 to 100 mg per day given in divided doses. Children younger than 6 years of age—50 mg per day given in divided doses.

Can hydroxyzine affect the baby?

When it comes to phenothiazine (class C), its use should be avoided during pregnancy. Hydroxyzine, in the first trimester, increases the risk of fetal defects. It can also cause hypotension, myoclonus, hypoxia, and central nervous system (CNS) depression. In animal studies, hydroxyzine was teratogenic.

What can you take for insomnia while breastfeeding?

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. Melatonin can also be used in breastfeeding with caution.

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.

Who should avoid hydroxyzine?

Your doctor will probably tell you not to take hydroxyzine. tell your doctor if anyone in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval or if you have or have ever had a slow or irregular heartbeat, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium, heart failure, a heart attack, or heart disease.

Can breastfeeding moms take hydroxyzine?

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine, that is also used to relief symptoms of anxiety and tension. It is probably okay to breastfeed while on this medication.

What is the most safe antihistamine while breastfeeding?

Zyrtec (cetirizine) is the preferred antihistamine when breastfeeding. Other second-generation antihistamines are also considered safe, but do not have as much research to support their use. These include Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin (loratidine), and Xyzal (levocetirizine).

What can I take for anxiety while 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.

Can my anxiety affect my breastfed baby?

Stress May Affect Cortisol Levels
As your stress level rises, the level of cortisol in your breast milk also increases. When your baby nurses, they may consume some of this extra cortisol.