Is it safe to take prednisone while breastfeeding?

Understanding Prednisone Use While Breastfeeding
As new mothers navigate the complexities of postpartum health, one common concern is the safety of medications during breastfeeding. Prednisone, a corticosteroid often prescribed for various inflammatory conditions, raises questions about its effects on nursing infants.
Safety Profile of Prednisone in Breastfeeding
Prednisone is generally considered safe for use while breastfeeding. Research indicates that the levels of prednisone that transfer into breast milk are quite low, which minimizes the risk of adverse effects in breastfed infants. According to health experts, no significant negative outcomes have been reported in infants whose mothers have taken corticosteroids, including prednisone, during lactation.
Timing and Dosage Considerations
While the medication is deemed safe, some guidelines suggest that mothers may want to time their doses strategically. Prednisone levels in breast milk peak approximately one to two hours after ingestion. To further reduce any potential exposure to the infant, it is often recommended that mothers wait about four hours after taking the medication before breastfeeding . However, this precaution may not be necessary for everyone, as the actual amount of prednisone in breast milk is very low.
Recommendations for Use
Health professionals advise using the lowest effective dose of prednisone for the shortest duration necessary. This approach helps mitigate any potential risks while ensuring that the mother receives the treatment she needs. For doses up to 40 mg, studies have shown that the levels in breast milk remain low and are unlikely to cause harm to the infant.
Conclusion
In summary, prednisone can be safely used by breastfeeding mothers, with minimal risk to their infants. While timing doses and adhering to lower dosages can enhance safety, the overall consensus among healthcare providers is that the benefits of treating maternal health conditions with prednisone outweigh the risks associated with breastfeeding. Mothers should always consult with their healthcare providers to tailor their treatment plans to their specific needs and circumstances.

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.

Does prednisone increase lactate?

In both humans and dogs, administration of corticosteroids can increase blood lactate concentration, leading to type B hyperlactatemia. This effect could be a consequence of the impact of corticosteroids on glucose metabolism.

How does prednisone affect the baby?

Preterm birth and low birth
Following reports that corticosteroids were teratogenic in mice, researchers reported that prednisone use in pregnancy was associated with low birth weight in the full term offspring of both humans and mice.

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.

What interacts badly with prednisone?

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• aldesleukin.
• desmopressin.
• mifepristone.
• drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, “blood thinners” such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDs such as aspirin/celecoxib/ibuprofen)

Are there any nursing implications with prednisone?

Monitor personality changes, including depression, euphoria, restlessness, hallucinations, and psychosis. Notify physician if these changes become problematic. Be alert for signs of low potassium levels (hypokalemia) and metabolic acidosis, including hyperventilation, cardiac arrhythmias, dizziness, and confusion.

What does prednisone do to babies?

Prednisone may affect the way your child’s body retains fluid and removes sodium (salt). Lowering the amount of sodium in your child’s diet can lower his or her blood pressure. Mood swings. Prednisone may cause a depressed mood.

How does prednisone affect breast milk?

Prednisolone and breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says that your baby is healthy, it’s OK to take prednisolone while breastfeeding. Prednisolone passes into breast milk in small amounts. It has been used for many years in breastfeeding women without side effects in their babies.

Is prednisolone safe for babies?

Safety and efficacy have not been established. Because prednisolone may cause slowed growth in children, those who will be using it for a long time should have their weight and growth measured by a doctor regularly.

How long does prednisone stay in your system?

The half-life of prednisone is two to three hours, which means it’ll stay in your system for 11 to 16.5 hours. You shouldn’t stop taking prednisone suddenly. You should taper off the drug slowly under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Sudden stops can create an imbalance of natural steroids in your body.