Does doxylamine succinate affect milk supply?

Understanding Doxylamine Succinate and Its Impact on Milk Supply
Doxylamine succinate, an antihistamine commonly used to alleviate symptoms of allergies, colds, and insomnia, raises important questions regarding its safety for breastfeeding mothers and its potential effects on milk supply. As many new mothers seek relief from discomfort while ensuring the well-being of their infants, understanding the implications of this medication is crucial.
Effects on Milk Supply
Research indicates that small occasional doses of doxylamine succinate are unlikely to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, caution is advised with larger doses or prolonged use. Such usage may lead to drowsiness in infants and could potentially decrease milk supply, particularly when combined with other medications that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. This suggests that while occasional use may be safe, regular or high-dose consumption could disrupt lactation.
Considerations for Breastfeeding Mothers
For breastfeeding mothers, the decision to use doxylamine succinate should be made with careful consideration. The medication’s sedative properties can affect both the mother and the infant. While it may provide relief from symptoms, the risk of decreased milk production and the potential for drowsiness in the infant cannot be overlooked. Therefore, it is advisable for mothers to consult healthcare providers to weigh the benefits against the risks, especially if they are considering long-term use or higher doses.
Conclusion
In summary, while doxylamine succinate can be effective for treating various conditions, breastfeeding mothers should approach its use with caution. Occasional use is generally considered safe, but larger doses or prolonged use may negatively impact milk supply and infant alertness. Engaging in a dialogue with healthcare professionals can help mothers make informed choices that prioritize both their health and that of their infants.

What pills stop breast milk?

Using medication to stop your breast milk
Taking drugs such as Cabergoline or Dostinex® to stop breast milk works best for mothers who have not been breastfeeding for long. Talk to your doctor, midwife or nurse if you would like more information about these drugs.

What causes drastic drop in milk supply?

A decrease in milk supply can be caused by a variety of different factors. A very common (and solvable) problem is not pumping or feeding enough. Because milk production works on a supply and demand basis, not pumping on a frequent schedule will signal to your body that it does not need to produce milk.

Is doxycycline safe for breastfeeding mothers?

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take doxycycline for a short time (less than 3 weeks) while breastfeeding. Doxycycline passes into breast milk in fairly small amounts. However, the calcium in your milk sticks to the doxycycline so the baby cannot absorb very much.

What medicine to avoid 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 medications drop milk supply?

For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply. So please call us if you are breastfeeding and need clarification on the safety of a medication or to see if a medication you are taking may be affecting your milk supply while breastfeeding.

Can a Z pack decrease milk supply?

Pseudoephedrine: Look out for this ingredient in your cold medicine. It can cause a drop in milk production. Zithromax: Also known as azithromycin, this antibiotic is generally considered safe to take while breastfeeding.

What allergy medicine doesn’t affect milk supply?

Non-sedating antihistamines are the preferred choice for a breastfeeding mother:

• Loratadine (Clarityn®) (Powell 2007, Hilbert 1997),
• Cetirizine (Zirtek®, BecoAllergy®, Piriteze®, Benadryl®) reaches low levels in breastmilk and is recommended by the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Powell 2007)

What is the best sleep aid for breastfeeding moms?

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 decreases milk supply?

Other things that can also lead you to have low milk production include:

• Smoking or drinking.
• Some medicines and herbs.
• Hormonal forms of birth control. This is especially true for birth control that has estrogen.
• Nursing or pumping less often.
• Getting sick.
• Feeling stressed.
• Getting pregnant again.

Do antihistamines decrease milk supply?

Antihistamines, used at normal therapeutic doses are unlikely to affect breast milk production, especially where lactation is established, i.e. after 6-8 weeks postpartum. One small study, reported a possible increase in the time until milk secretion postpartum when promethazine (dose unknown) was given during labour.