Do anxiety meds pass through breast milk?

Understanding the Passage of Anxiety Medications Through Breast Milk
The question of whether anxiety medications pass through breast milk is a significant concern for nursing mothers who are managing anxiety disorders. The implications of medication transfer to infants can influence treatment decisions and breastfeeding practices.
Medication Transfer to Breast Milk
Research indicates that many commonly used medications, including those for anxiety, can indeed pass into breast milk, but the extent and impact vary widely. For instance, studies have shown that while some medications are excreted in small amounts, the doses received by infants through breast milk are generally much lower than those given directly to neonates and infants. This suggests that while there is a transfer, it is often at levels that are considered safe.
Specific Anxiety Medications
When it comes to specific classes of anxiety medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), evidence suggests that they are among the more studied medications in this context. For example, medications like sertraline and paroxetine have been shown to have low levels in breast milk and are often deemed safe for breastfeeding mothers. The consensus among healthcare professionals is that the benefits of treating maternal anxiety often outweigh the potential risks to the infant.
Safety and Monitoring
While the transfer of anxiety medications into breast milk is a valid concern, it is important to note that most commonly used drugs are relatively safe for breastfed babies. The doses that infants receive through breast milk are typically small and much less than the known safe doses of the same drug administered directly to infants. However, healthcare providers often recommend close monitoring of the infant for any potential side effects, especially in the early stages of breastfeeding.
Consultation with Healthcare Providers
Given the complexities involved, it is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to consult with their healthcare providers when considering anxiety medications. Providers can offer tailored advice based on the specific medication, the mother’s mental health needs, and the infant’s health status. This collaborative approach ensures that both maternal mental health and infant safety are prioritized.
In conclusion, while anxiety medications can pass through breast milk, the levels are generally low and often considered safe. The decision to use these medications while breastfeeding should be made in consultation with healthcare professionals, balancing the mother’s mental health needs with the safety of the infant.

What happens to breastfed babies on antidepressants?

There are also two reports of excessive somnolence, decreased feeding and weight loss in breastfed infants. In studies no adverse effects on the babies were noted. If the baby shows less than expected weight gain it might be prudent to discontinue the drug and change to another SSRI.

Does anxiety medication affect baby?

Benzodiazepines: Women should avoid using tranquilizers, such as diazepam, alprazolam and clonazepam, in high doses during pregnancy because they can lead to sedation and respiratory distress in the newborn. You can still use them in small doses for short periods of time.

Can you pass anxiety through breast milk?

In line with the fetal programming hypothesis, it might be argued that, when the environment is stressful, mothers could physiologically signal this information to their infants via breast milk cortisol, and infants could subsequently adjust their behavioral phenotype to their (future) environment.

What drugs show up in breast milk?

Drugs. If you use amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine or heroin, you should not breastfeed for 24 hours after use. If you smoke cannabis or tobacco you should breastfeed your baby before you smoke, and smoke outside and away from the baby.

When should mothers not breastfeed?

Women who actively use drugs or do not control their alcohol intake, or who have a history of these situations, also may be advised not to breastfeed. Infants who have galactosemia—a rare metabolic disorder in which the body cannot digest the sugar galactose—should not be breastfed.

How long do I wait to breastfeed after taking Xanax?

Breastfeeding while taking alprazolam:
After a single dose of alprazolam, there is usually no need to wait to breastfeed. The product label for alprazolam recommends people who are breastfeeding not use this medication. But the benefit of using alprazolam may outweigh the possible risks.

Is it safe to take Xanax while breastfeeding?

A safety scoring system finds alprazolam possible to use during breastfeeding. [1] Because of reports of effects in infants, including sedation, alprazolam is probably not the best benzodiazepine for repeated use during nursing, especially with a neonate or premature infant.

Is anxiety safe while breastfeeding?

You can take medication for anxiety and continue to breastfeed without harming your baby. There are many reasons that we become anxious at one point or another in our lives. Anxiety is a normal and healthy emotion.

What drugs don’t go into breast milk?

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

Does anxiety medication affect breast milk?

The BNF suggests that benzodiazepines are present in milk, and should be avoided if possible during breastfeeding. Single doses of diazepam may also be used in situations such as fear of flying, before surgery or other anxiety provoking situations with continued breastfeeding as normal. Avoid if possible.