Is diphenhydramine safe while breastfeeding?

Understanding Diphenhydramine and Breastfeeding
Diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl, is an antihistamine frequently used to alleviate allergy symptoms, induce sleep, and manage motion sickness. However, for breastfeeding mothers, the safety of this medication raises important questions.
Safety Profile During Breastfeeding
Research indicates that small, occasional doses of diphenhydramine are generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. According to the Drugs and Lactation Database, these doses are unlikely to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, caution is advised with larger doses or prolonged use, as these can potentially lead to side effects in infants or even decrease milk supply, particularly when combined with other medications like pseudoephedrine.
Effects on Infants
Diphenhydramine does pass into breast milk, albeit in small amounts. Studies have shown that infants exposed to this medication may experience increased sleepiness or irritability. While the effects are typically mild, it is essential for nursing mothers to monitor their babies for any signs of excessive drowsiness or feeding difficulties.
Recommendations for Use
Health professionals often recommend that breastfeeding mothers use the lowest effective dose of diphenhydramine and limit its use to occasional instances. This approach minimizes the risk of any potential side effects on the infant. Additionally, mothers are advised against bed-sharing while using this medication, as it may increase the risk of sleepiness in both the mother and the baby.
Alternatives and Considerations
While diphenhydramine is not the first-line treatment recommended for breastfeeding mothers, it is not entirely off-limits. Other antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), may be preferable due to their lower likelihood of causing sedation in infants. Ultimately, any medication should be discussed with a healthcare provider to weigh the benefits against potential risks.
Conclusion
In summary, diphenhydramine can be used by breastfeeding mothers with caution. Small doses are unlikely to harm infants, but monitoring for side effects is crucial. As always, consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any medication is the best course of action to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and child.

What is the best sleep aid for breastfeeding moms?

However, the ‘z- drugs’ (zolpidem and zopiclone) are preferred for the short-term management of insomnia during breastfeeding, as they have shorter half-lives than the benzodiazepines and appear to pass into breast milk in small amounts. Melatonin can also be used in breastfeeding with caution.

Is dimenhydrinate safe for breastfeeding?

Summary of Use during Lactation
Small, occasional doses of dimenhydrinate would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.

Can you take sleep drops while breastfeeding?

No known contraindications. SleepDrops is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is non-addictive, non-drowsy and will not interfere with any medications.

Do antihistamines dry up breast milk?

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.

How long does diphenhydramine stay in your system?

The active ingredient, diphenhydramine, typically stays in your system for 24 to 48 hours, but its half-life can vary depending on factors like age, liver function, and dosage. Diphenhydramine exhibits anticholinergic effects, which can lead to side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and severe drowsiness.

What sedation is safe breastfeeding?

Maternal use of sedating drugs during breastfeeding is generally acceptable, provided that the infants are monitored for adverse CNS effects. Mothers should contact their physicians if any adverse events are observed in their infants.

Can I take 50mg of diphenhydramine while pregnant?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that’s considered safe during pregnancy, and is used to treat allergies, allergic reactions, sleep problems, and morning sickness. It’s classified as a “Class B” drug during pregnancy by the FDA, meaning animal studies show it doesn’t cause harm to a fetus.

What antihistamines does mother to baby use?

Some newer oral antihistamines that are less likely to cause drowsiness include Claritin and Zyrtec, containing the active ingredients Loratadine and Cetirizine respectively. Loratadine passes to breast milk in low levels and for that reason, it is a favorable choice for many breastfeeding mothers.

Does diphenhydramine affect breast milk?

Diphenhydramine passes into breastmilk in small amounts. This medication can cause sleepiness in adults as well as the nursing baby. Two studies that looked at the use of antihistamines such as diphenhydramine while breastfeeding reported that exposed babies were irritable, sleepier, and/or slept less.

What is the safest antihistamine while breastfeeding?

Non-sedating antihistamines are the preferred choice for a breastfeeding mother: Loratadine (Clarityn®) (Powell 2007, Hilbert 1997), Cetirizine (Zirtek®, BecoAllergy®, Piriteze®, Benadryl®) reaches low levels in breastmilk and is recommended by the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Powell 2007)