Is doxycycline safe to take while breastfeeding?

Understanding Doxycycline Use During Breastfeeding
Doxycycline, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, raises important questions regarding its safety for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. As with many medications, the decision to use doxycycline while nursing involves weighing potential risks against the benefits of treatment.
Short-Term Use Considered Safe
Research indicates that short-term use of doxycycline is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. The amount of doxycycline that passes into breast milk is relatively low, and studies suggest that the absorption of this antibiotic by infants is inhibited by the calcium present in breast milk. This means that while some doxycycline may be present in the milk, it is unlikely to cause significant harm to a breastfeeding infant when taken for a brief period.
Potential Risks with Prolonged Use
However, caution is advised for longer courses of treatment. Prolonged use of doxycycline can pose risks, particularly concerning tooth and bone development in infants. These risks have primarily been observed when doxycycline is administered directly to babies, rather than through breast milk. The potential for adverse effects increases with extended use, leading health professionals to recommend that doxycycline should only be prescribed selectively to breastfeeding women when safer alternatives are not available.
Monitoring and Caution
Healthcare providers often recommend monitoring infants for any adverse effects if their mothers are taking doxycycline. While the risk is low, being vigilant can help ensure that any potential issues are addressed promptly. The general consensus is that if a mother requires doxycycline for a serious infection, the benefits of treatment may outweigh the risks, especially if the course is kept short.
Conclusion
In summary, doxycycline can be used cautiously during breastfeeding, particularly for short durations. Mothers should consult their healthcare providers to discuss the necessity of the medication and explore alternative treatments if available. The key is to balance the mother’s health needs with the safety of the infant, ensuring that any treatment plan is tailored to individual circumstances.

When should doxycycline be avoided?

Doxycycline is not safe to take during pregnancy. Doxycycline should be avoided during chest/breastfeeding because of the unknown exposure effects to infants. Consult your healthcare provider. you have myasthenia gravis (a neuromuscular disorder), please consult with your healthcare provider before taking doxycycline.

What happens if you accidentally take doxycycline with milk?

Dairy products contain calcium, which can interact with doxycycline. When these two substances come into contact, it triggers a chemical reaction that can reduce the amount of doxycycline that’s absorbed by your body. This may make doxycycline less effective.

What medications decrease milk supply?

For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply. So please call us if you are breastfeeding and need clarification on the safety of a medication or to see if a medication you are taking may be affecting your milk supply while breastfeeding.

Can I use doxycycline while breastfeeding?

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take doxycycline for a short time (less than 3 weeks) while breastfeeding. Doxycycline passes into breast milk in fairly small amounts. However, the calcium in your milk sticks to the doxycycline so the baby cannot absorb very much.

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.

Is doxycycline a very strong antibiotic?

Extensive clinical investigation has shown doxycycline to be highly effective in infections of the respiratory tract, including atypical pneumonias; skin and soft tissue; genitourinary infection including gonorrhea, syphilis, nonspecific urethritis, and prostatitis; intraabdominal infection due to trauma, sepsis, or …

What medications should be avoided while breastfeeding?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding include:

• codeine phosphate.
• decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow.
• some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them.
• aspirin for pain relief.

How much doxycycline is in breast milk?

Drug Levels
On the second day of treatment, milk doxycycline averaged 0.82 mg/L (range 0.37 to 1.24 mg/L) 3 hours after the dose, and 0.46 mg/L (range 0.3 to 0.91 mg/L) 24 hours after the dose.

Why do you have to wait 30 minutes after taking doxycycline?

To prevent getting the medication stuck in the esophagus, it’s important to wait 30 minutes after taking doxycycline before lying down. If the capsule dissolves in the esophagus, it can cause irritation and chest pain.

What antibiotics are ok while breastfeeding?

The following antibiotics are all safe to take whilst breastfeeding;

• Amoxycillin, Amoxil ®,
• Azithromycin, Zithromax®,
• Cefaclor, Distaclor®,
• Cefuroxime, Zinnat®
• Cephalexin, Cefalexin, Keflex®,
• Cephradine, Velosef®,
• Clarithromycin, Klaricid®,
• Co-amoxiclav, Augmentin®,