Is clindamycin ok to take while breastfeeding?

Clindamycin and Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know
Clindamycin is an antibiotic commonly prescribed for various infections, including those affecting the skin and soft tissues. For breastfeeding mothers, the safety of taking clindamycin is a significant concern, as it can affect both the mother and the infant.
Safety Profile During Breastfeeding
According to medical sources, clindamycin does pass into breast milk, but typically in small amounts. Studies have shown that after intravenous administration, peak milk levels of clindamycin can reach approximately 2.65 mg/L to 3.1 mg/L within a few hours. This suggests that while the drug does enter breast milk, the concentrations are relatively low.
The general consensus among healthcare professionals is that clindamycin is considered safe for use during breastfeeding, particularly for treating conditions like mastitis, which is common among nursing mothers. However, it is essential to monitor the breastfed infant for any potential side effects, particularly gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, nausea, or diaper rash.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Despite its safety profile, clindamycin is classified as a Category C medication by the FDA, meaning that risk cannot be ruled out. This classification indicates that while animal studies may show adverse effects, there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Therefore, some healthcare providers may recommend caution, advising mothers to consider “pumping and dumping” breast milk during treatment to minimize any potential exposure to the infant.
Moreover, there have been rare reports of antibiotic-associated colitis in breastfed infants, which underscores the importance of monitoring for any unusual symptoms, such as blood in the stool.
Conclusion
In summary, clindamycin can be taken while breastfeeding, but it is crucial for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to weigh the benefits against any potential risks. Observing the infant for gastrointestinal symptoms during the course of treatment is also advisable. As always, open communication with healthcare professionals can help ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and child during antibiotic therapy.

What pregnancy category is clindamycin?

Pregnancy Category B In clinical trials with pregnant women, the systemic administration of clindamycin during the second and third trimesters has not been associated with an increased frequency of congenital abnormalities. Clindamycin should be used during the first trimester of pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Can I take a zpack while breastfeeding?

Azithromycin and breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says that your baby is healthy, it’s OK to take azithromycin while breastfeeding. Azithromycin passes into breast milk in small amounts. It has not been known to cause any side effects in breastfed babies.

What antibiotics are safe while breastfeeding?

All penicillin antibiotics can be used during breastfeeding with precautionary infant monitoring. Flucloxacillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) and the broad-spectrum penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin, are the preferred choices as there is more evidence and experience to support their use.

What are nursing considerations for clindamycin?

Clindamycin has been reported to appear in breast milk in the range of 0.7 to 3.8 mcg/mL. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, clindamycin should not be taken by nursing mothers.

How does clindamycin affect breast milk?

Clindamycin is a very safe med to use in breastfeeding. Less than 2% of what you take ends up in the milk. This is far less than what is prescribed directly to babies for their own infections. Keep an eye out for changes in your baby’s bowel habits or any new rashes, but otherwise you should be fine.

Which antibiotics are not used in breastfeeding?

Antibiotics to Avoid While Breastfeeding
Clindamycin: Clindamycin can sometimes cause mild gastrointestinal (GI) effects like diarrhea, vomiting, diaper rash, or thrush in a breastfed baby2. Co-trimoxazole: Rarely prescribed to breastfeeding parents of newborns because of an association with increased jaundice3.

What antibiotics are safe during pregnancy and lactation?

Other antibiotics are thought to pose risks during pregnancy. For example, tetracyclines can affect bone growth and cause a baby’s teeth to discolor. Tetracyclines aren’t suggested for use after the fifth week of pregnancy. Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin) might raise the risk of cleft lip if given in the first trimester.

Can clindamycin cause miscarriage?

Clindamycin that was administered at <22 weeks of gestation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation and late miscarriage.

Which drug is usually avoided with breastfeeding?

Table. Examples of drugs contraindicated in breastfeeding.

Drug	Comment
Iodine	High doses (>150 micrograms daily) lead to risk of infant hypothyroidism
Lithium	Breastfeeding only feasible with rigorous monitoring
Radiopharmaceuticals	Contact obstetric information service
Retinoids (oral)	Potential for serious adverse effects

Does clindamycin affect babies?

Infants with the highest total clindamycin exposure had marginally increased odds of NEC within 7 days (adjusted odds ratio=1.95 [1.04–3.63]), but exposure was not associated with death, sepsis, seizures, intestinal perforation, or intestinal strictures.