Is Claritin safe to use while breastfeeding?

Claritin and Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know
When it comes to managing allergies while breastfeeding, many mothers wonder about the safety of medications like Claritin, which contains the active ingredient loratadine. Understanding the implications of using this antihistamine during lactation is crucial for both maternal health and infant safety.
Safety Profile of Loratadine
According to health experts, loratadine is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology supports its use, indicating that loratadine can be taken within recommended limits while nursing. This is largely due to the fact that loratadine passes into breast milk in very low amounts, which minimizes the risk of adverse effects on breastfed infants.
Effects on Infants
Research suggests that the amount of loratadine in breast milk is too low to cause problems for most babies. In fact, loratadine is one of the preferred antihistamines for breastfeeding mothers because it is less likely to cause drowsiness in both the mother and the infant compared to older, sedating antihistamines. While some studies have reported slight sedative reactions in infants whose mothers took Claritin, these effects were not consistently observed, and many mothers reported no noticeable sedation in their babies.
Considerations for Claritin-D
It’s important to note that while loratadine is deemed safe, Claritin-D, which contains pseudoephedrine, is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Pseudoephedrine can potentially reduce milk production, which is a significant concern for nursing mothers. Therefore, if you’re considering allergy relief while breastfeeding, it’s advisable to stick with regular Claritin and consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Conclusion
In summary, Claritin (loratadine) is a safe option for breastfeeding mothers looking to alleviate allergy symptoms. However, caution should be exercised with Claritin-D due to its potential effects on milk supply. As always, it’s best to discuss any medication use with a healthcare professional to ensure the well-being of both mother and child.

What allergy pill can I take while breastfeeding?

Zyrtec (cetirizine) is the preferred antihistamine when breastfeeding. Other second-generation antihistamines are also considered safe, but do not have as much research to support their use. These include Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin (loratidine), and Xyzal (levocetirizine).

Why is Zyrtec not recommended while breastfeeding?

Zyrtec, although generally safe, is not recommended during breastfeeding because it passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Possible side effects on the baby include irritation or lethargy. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication while breastfeeding.

Can I pass my allergies to my baby?

The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, which means it can be passed down through genes from parents to their kids. But just because a parent has allergies doesn’t mean that their kids definitely will get them.

Can I pass my allergies to my baby through breastfeeding?

Food allergens in the mother’s diet can pass through into the breastmilk so a breastfed baby can have an allergic response or intolerance to something in the mother’s diet.

Who should avoid Claritin?

Claritin is generally avoided during pregnancy and nursing. Pregnant women may take Claritin only if it is clearly needed. Nursing mothers should consult their doctor before breastfeeding. Claritin should not be used in children younger than 6 years of age unless directed by a doctor.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended for breastfeeding?

However, caution is advised for cetirizine use while breastfeeding due to the theoretical risk of CNS depression based on limited human data and risk of decreased milk production.

Is Claritin safe for breastfeeding mothers?

You may be used to reaching for Claritin (loratadine) to find relief from your allergy symptoms, but is Claritin safe to take while breastfeeding? Fortunately, experts say that you can safely take Claritin while breastfeeding.

Which works better, Claritin or zyrtec?

Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) are two popular brands. They contain different compounds but appear to be equally effective. Antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms, such as watering eyes, itchy skin, hives, and swelling.

Does Claritin affect baby?

Claritin is safe to take during pregnancy and nursing. However, a person should always consult a doctor before taking any medication while pregnant or nursing. While most antihistamines are safe, other medications, such as decongestants, may pose a risk to the pregnant person and fetus.

Do antihistamines dry up milk supply?

There is conflicting data on the effect of antihistamines and breast milk production, and the evidence is very limited. 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.