How long after topical lidocaine can I breastfeed?

Understanding Topical Lidocaine and Breastfeeding
Topical lidocaine is a local anesthetic commonly used to numb specific areas of the body for various medical and cosmetic procedures. For breastfeeding mothers, concerns often arise regarding the safety of using lidocaine and its potential effects on breastfed infants.
How Long After Application Can You Breastfeed?
Research indicates that lidocaine is generally safe for breastfeeding mothers. After the application of topical lidocaine, the concentration of the drug in breast milk is relatively low. Studies show that lidocaine levels in breast milk peak at about 3 hours post-application, averaging around 120.5 mcg/L. By 6 hours, this concentration decreases to approximately 58.3 mcg/L. Given these findings, it is typically advised that breastfeeding can safely resume about 3 to 6 hours after the application of topical lidocaine.
Safety Profile for Breastfed Infants
The absorption of lidocaine by infants through breast milk is minimal. According to the Drugs and Lactation Database, lidocaine is poorly absorbed by infants, and the low concentrations found in breast milk are not expected to cause any adverse effects. This suggests that occasional use of topical lidocaine is unlikely to pose significant risks to breastfeeding infants.
Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers
While the general consensus is that breastfeeding can continue after a few hours post-application, it is always prudent for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers. Individual circumstances, such as the specific formulation of lidocaine used and the mother’s health condition, may influence recommendations. Additionally, if a mother notices any unusual symptoms in her infant after using lidocaine, she should seek medical advice promptly.
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can typically resume breastfeeding 3 to 6 hours after applying topical lidocaine, with reassurance that the drug’s presence in breast milk is minimal and unlikely to affect their infants adversely.

How long to pump and dump after numbing cream?

“The standard thinking has been ‘pump and dump’ – discarding the breast milk for 24 hours after anesthesia. As an outdated practice, it is not evidence-based and is potentially harmful for babies. The evidence shows that this breast milk is safe.”

Can you breastfeed after getting numbed at the dentist?

There is no evidence to interrupt breastfeeding after the use of local anaesthetics. Local anaesthetics work by deadening sensation of the nerve endings around the tooth. There is no evidence of passage into breastmilk and therefore no reason not to continue breastfeeding.

How long does topical lidocaine stay in your system?

How long does lidocaine stay in your system? Lidocaine has a half-life of 1.5–2 hours and about 70–90% of it is metabolized in the liver. ⁸ ⁷ After a local injection, its effects should wear off in about three hours. Patches and other formulations for topical application allow lidocaine to be absorbed much more slowly.

Can topical creams get into breast milk?

Breastfeeding mothers may need to apply a variety of cream and ointments to their skin whilst they are breastfeeding. There is very little absorption of these products into breastmilk and most products can be applied without interruption of breastfeeding.

Can you breastfeed after topical lidocaine?

There have been many studies done on the transfer of lidocaine into breast milk. All conclude that lidocaine transfer to milk is minimal and probably safe to use during breastfeeding. The dose of lidocaine in dental procedures is minimal and should pose no harm to the breastfed infant.

How much topical lidocaine is absorbed systemically?

The bioavailability for a single dose and repeated doses was similar at 3%. Thus, repeated application of patches on 3 consecutive days resulted in systemic absorption of 188 mg of lidocaine compared with 63 mg when patches were applied for a single 12-h period.

Is topical lidocaine safe for babies?

This medicine may cause a rare, but serious blood problem called methemoglobinemia. The risk may be increased in children younger than 6 months of age, elderly patients, or patients with certain inborn defects.

Can I breastfeed after being numbed at the dentist?

There is no evidence to interrupt breastfeeding after the use of local anaesthetics. Local anaesthetics work by deadening sensation of the nerve endings around the tooth. There is no evidence of passage into breastmilk and therefore no reason not to continue breastfeeding.

How long after local anesthetic can I breastfeed?

Following high doses of tumescent lidocaine in liposuction, avoid breastfeeding for 48 hours.” (Medications and Mothers’ Milk database, Dr Thomas Hale PhD). 1. ##Zeisler JA, Gaarder TD, De Mesquita SA. Lidocaine excretion in breast milk. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1986; 20(9):691-693. 2. ##Dryden RM, Lo MW.

How fast is lidocaine metabolized?

The elimination half-life of lidocaine is biphasic and around 90 min to 120 min in most people. This may be prolonged in people with hepatic impairment (average 343 min) or congestive heart failure (average 136 min). Lidocaine is excreted in the urine (90% as metabolites and 10% as unchanged drug).