Does paracetamol affect breast milk?

Understanding the Impact of Paracetamol on Breast Milk
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is widely recognized as a safe analgesic for nursing mothers. Its use during breastfeeding raises important questions about its transfer into breast milk and potential effects on infants.
Transfer into Breast Milk
Research indicates that paracetamol does pass into breast milk, but in very small amounts. Studies show that the concentration of paracetamol in breast milk is approximately equal to that in maternal plasma, with a milk-to-plasma concentration ratio close to 1. This means that when a nursing mother takes paracetamol, only a small fraction of the dose is transmitted to her breast milk. For instance, one study estimated that the maximum dose an infant could receive through breast milk is about 1.85% of the weight-adjusted maternal oral dose.
Safety for Infants
The consensus among health professionals is that paracetamol is the preferred analgesic for breastfeeding mothers. The amounts that enter breast milk are considered unlikely to harm the baby. The NHS and other health organizations recommend that mothers can safely take paracetamol while breastfeeding, provided they adhere to the recommended dosages and duration of use.
Clinical Observations
In clinical settings, monitoring of paracetamol levels in breast milk has shown that concentrations are consistently lower than those in maternal plasma. For example, one study reported a mean milk/plasma area under the curve (AUC) ratio of 0.76, indicating that the drug is present in lower concentrations in breast milk compared to the mother’s bloodstream. This further supports the notion that the exposure of infants to paracetamol through breastfeeding is minimal.
Recommendations for Nursing Mothers
While paracetamol is deemed safe, nursing mothers are advised to take it for the shortest possible time and at the recommended doses. This approach minimizes any potential risks while effectively managing pain or fever. Additionally, the use of paracetamol has been associated with positive outcomes, such as increased breastfeeding rates when administered in conjunction with other medications post-delivery.
In conclusion, paracetamol is a safe option for pain relief during breastfeeding, with minimal transfer to breast milk and negligible risk to infants. Nursing mothers can feel confident in using this medication when necessary, always keeping in mind the importance of following medical guidelines.

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.

Which drug decreases milk supply?

Certain medications can suppress lactation (reduce milk production) in breastfeeding moms. Some of the medications that can decrease milk supply include: Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, and Allegra-D).

How much paracetamol gets into breast milk?

1 Paracetamol was administered to nursing mothers. The drug passed rapidly into milk and the milk:plasma concentration ratio was approximately unity. 2 The estimated maximum dose to the neonate was 1.85% of the weight-adjusted maternal oral dose of paracetamol 1.0 g.

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.

Does paracetamol excreted in breast milk?

The half-lives of paracetamol in plasma and breast milk were almost identical, with an overall mean of 2.7 h. As less than 0.1% of the maternal dose would be present in 100 ml milk, breast feeding need not be discontinued due to paracetamol treatment in conventional dosage.

What are the side effects of paracetamol in pregnancy?

The literature suggests a potential effect of paracetamol on the fetal brain, and some studies find an association between long-term prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including higher risk of ADHD and ASD.

Is it okay to take paracetamol while breastfeeding?

Paracetamol and breastfeeding
You can take normal doses of paracetamol (one or two 500mg tablets, every 4 hours up to 4 times in 24 hours with a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours) if you are breastfeeding. Paracetamol is a first-choice painkiller during breastfeeding. It passes into breast milk in very small amounts.

How much paracetamol passes into breast milk?

1 Paracetamol was administered to nursing mothers. The drug passed rapidly into milk and the milk:plasma concentration ratio was approximately unity. 2 The estimated maximum dose to the neonate was 1.85% of the weight-adjusted maternal oral dose of paracetamol 1.0 g.

Can I take paracetamol breastfeeding baby?

Paracetamol is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate pain. Paracetamol can also be used to treat fever (high temperature). It’s dangerous to take more than the recommended dose of paracetamol. Paracetamol overdose can damage your liver and cause death.

Does paracetamol react with milk?

Paracetamol can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. Paracetamol is gentle on the stomach, so in this case the choice is entirely yours whether you want to take medicine with milk or food.