How long after taking Valium can you breastfeed?

Understanding Valium and Breastfeeding
Valium, known generically as diazepam, is a medication commonly prescribed for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. For breastfeeding mothers, the question of safety regarding the use of Valium is crucial, particularly concerning how long they should wait to breastfeed after taking the medication.
How Diazepam Affects Breastfeeding
When a breastfeeding mother takes Valium, the drug is excreted into breast milk. This means that the infant can be exposed to the medication through breastfeeding. The key concern is the potential accumulation of diazepam and its active metabolite, nordiazepam, in the infant’s system, especially with repeated doses. Both substances have a long half-life, which means they remain in the body for an extended period.
Timing and Recommendations
Due to the long-acting nature of Valium, the timing of breastfeeding in relation to taking the medication is not particularly effective in minimizing the infant’s exposure. Experts suggest that the accumulation of diazepam in breastfed infants can occur, making it challenging to determine a safe window for breastfeeding after taking the drug.
While specific guidelines can vary, many healthcare providers recommend that mothers should ideally wait at least 24 hours after taking a dose of Valium before breastfeeding. This waiting period helps to reduce the concentration of the drug in breast milk, although it is important to note that individual circumstances, such as the dosage taken and the mother’s metabolism, can influence this timeframe.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers who have taken Valium should consider waiting at least 24 hours before nursing their infants. However, it is crucial for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers for personalized advice, as they can provide guidance based on the specific situation and dosage. The safety of both the mother and the infant should always be the top priority when making decisions about medication use during breastfeeding.

Can I breastfeed after taking Valium?

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take diazepam while breastfeeding as long as you’re only taking a low dose occasionally or for a very short time. Diazepam passes into breast milk, usually in small amounts. If you take it for a long time or in high doses, it can build up in your milk.

What is the half-life of diazepam in breast milk?

Diazepam has a long half-life of 43 hours (with terminal metabolite being present for 2 to 5 days) and accumulation is possible with repeated doses. The plasma elimination is further extended in neonates due to poor hepatic function.

How long do I need to wait to breastfeed after taking Xanax?

Summary of Use during Lactation
If alprazolam is used long term, monitor the infant for sedation, poor feeding and poor weight gain. After a single dose of alprazolam, there is usually no need to wait to resume breastfeeding.

How long does conscious sedation stay in your system?

The effects of IV moderate sedation, also called conscious or twilight sedation, will wear off in the first few hours after your procedure, but it is important to note that it could take a full 24 hours to properly recover from the anesthesia.

How long should you pump and dump after general anesthesia?

Anecdotally many mothers are advised to pump and dump their breastmilk for 24-48 hours after anaesthetic even for a short operation in order to clear the body of the drugs rather than simply to maintain supply. This is not necessary.

What is the safest benzodiazepine in breastfeeding?

There is limited published evidence of use in breastfeeding which shows very small amounts are found in breast milk. Oxazepam is a preferred choice because it is a shorter acting benzodiazepine. It is also the least lipid soluble, which accounts for its low levels in milk.

How long after conscious sedation can I breastfeed?

Midazolam is rated and L2-limited data-probably compatible. The amount transferred into breast milk is 0.004-0.6% of your dose. The half life is 2-5 hours. We recommend waiting 4 hours after your procedure to breastfeed provided you are fully awake at that time and your infant does not have a history of apnea.

How long does 2mg diazepam take to wear off?

To summarize, the effects of taking diazepam only last 4 to 6 hours, but because the medication has such a long half-life, it takes several days to weeks to completely leave the system, depending on how much of the drug was ingested.

How long do benzos stay in breast milk?

There isn’t a clear amount of time for how long you should pump and discard your milk if you’re taking benzodiazepines. Pump and discard your milk for at least 2-4 hours after taking benzodiazepines. It’s probably better to wait longer.

Do anxiety meds pass through breast milk?

From the available data, it appears that all medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotic agents, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines, are secreted into the breast milk. However, concentrations of these agents in breast milk vary considerably.