Does spironolactone affect milk supply?

Understanding the Impact of Spironolactone on Milk Supply
Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic commonly used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and heart failure, raises important questions regarding its safety and effects during breastfeeding. For nursing mothers, the concern often revolves around whether this medication affects milk supply or poses risks to their infants.
Minimal Excretion into Breast Milk
Research indicates that spironolactone is poorly excreted into breast milk. Limited studies have shown that while the active metabolite canrenone may be present in low amounts, these levels are considered clinically inconsequential. For instance, one study noted that the amount of spironolactone and canrenone that enters breast milk is less than 0.5% of the maternal dose, which is deemed insignificant for breastfeeding infants .
Safety for Breastfeeding Infants
The available data suggest that spironolactone is generally acceptable for use during breastfeeding. Reports from mothers who have taken spironolactone while nursing indicate no adverse effects in their infants. The NHS and other medical sources support this view, stating that the risks associated with spironolactone during lactation are minimal, and no significant side effects have been observed in breastfed children.
Effects on Milk Supply
While the direct impact of spironolactone on milk supply is not extensively documented, the medication’s mechanism as a diuretic could theoretically influence fluid balance. However, the consensus among healthcare professionals is that the low levels of the drug in breast milk do not significantly affect milk production or quality. Therefore, mothers concerned about their milk supply while on spironolactone are generally reassured that it is unlikely to be adversely affected.
Conclusion
In summary, spironolactone appears to be a safe option for breastfeeding mothers, with minimal excretion into breast milk and no reported adverse effects on infants. While individual responses can vary, the prevailing evidence suggests that mothers can continue to breastfeed without significant concern regarding their medication’s impact on milk supply or their child’s health. As always, it is advisable for nursing mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to discuss any concerns regarding medications and breastfeeding.

What medications cause low 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.

What are the cons of taking spironolactone?

Common side effects

• Feeling dizzy. If spironolactone makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better.
• Feeling or being sick.
• Muscle or leg cramps.
• Feeling tired or low in energy.
• Breast pain and breast enlargement, including in men.

Does spironolactone affect breast milk?

Spironolactone and breastfeeding
If your doctor or midwife says your baby is healthy, you can take spironolactone while you’re breastfeeding. Spironolactone passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and it would not be expected to cause any side effects in your baby.

Is it safe to take spironolactone while breastfeeding?

Spironolactone and breastfeeding
If your doctor or midwife says your baby is healthy, you can take spironolactone while you’re breastfeeding. Spironolactone passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and it would not be expected to cause any side effects in your baby.

Is spironolactone breastfeeding safe?

Spironolactone and breastfeeding
If your doctor or midwife says your baby is healthy, you can take spironolactone while you’re breastfeeding. Spironolactone passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and it would not be expected to cause any side effects in your baby.

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.

What can spironolactone do to a baby?

Animal studies have shown that high doses of spironolactone can cause feminization of male fetuses, including the development of female genitalia. While human studies are lacking, there have been a few case reports of feminization effects in male infants born to mothers who took spironolactone during pregnancy.

Do diuretics dry up breast milk?

Furosemide and breastfeeding
It would not be expected to cause any side effects in your baby, but furosemide may reduce the amount of milk you produce. If you’re breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as other medicines might be better while breastfeeding.

Does spironolactone affect breast size?

Breast changes
Spironolactone can cause breast pain and breast enlargement in women. This is “probably because of estrogenic effects on target tissue.” At low doses, breast tenderness has been reported in only 5% of women, but at high doses, it has been reported in up to 40% of women.

What medication dries up milk supply?

Women sometimes to ask for a tablet to stop their milk supply. This medication works best if it is taken within 12- 24 hours of your baby’s birth. The medication is not routinely prescribed in hospital due to the many side effects and health risks with this medication. The medication is called cabergoline (Dostinex®).