Is loperamide safe for breastfeeding mothers?

Understanding Loperamide and Its Safety for Breastfeeding Mothers
Loperamide, commonly known by its brand name Imodium, is a medication frequently used to treat diarrhea. For breastfeeding mothers, concerns about the safety of medications can be paramount, especially regarding how substances may affect their infants.
Minimal Transfer to Breast Milk
Research indicates that loperamide is excreted into breast milk in non-significant levels. This means that only tiny amounts of the drug pass into breast milk, which is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to consider. The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified loperamide as compatible with breastfeeding, suggesting that its use is unlikely to pose a risk to nursing infants .
Pharmacokinetics and Infant Absorption
The pharmacokinetics of loperamide reveal that it has low oral bioavailability, which further reduces the likelihood of significant absorption by an infant. This characteristic makes it difficult for the drug to reach the infant’s bloodstream in any meaningful quantity. In a study involving the loperamide prodrug, loperamide oxide, researchers found that even after administering doses shortly after delivery, the levels detected in breast milk were minimal.
Clinical Recommendations
Given the evidence, healthcare professionals generally consider loperamide safe for short-term use in breastfeeding mothers. It is often recommended for managing acute diarrhea, which can be particularly important for new mothers who may be dealing with the physical demands of postpartum recovery. However, as with any medication, it is essential for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to weigh the benefits against any potential risks.
Conclusion
In summary, loperamide appears to be a safe option for breastfeeding mothers needing relief from diarrhea. The minimal transfer of the drug into breast milk and its low absorption rates in infants support its use during this sensitive period. Nevertheless, individual circumstances can vary, and consulting a healthcare professional remains a prudent step for any mother considering medication while breastfeeding.

Can a breastfeeding mom pass diarrhea to a baby?

Breastfeeding with travelers’ diarrhea
However, she should also increase her own fluid intake to prevent dehydration (loss of too much water in the body). The organisms that cause travelers’ diarrhea do not pass through breast milk.

What can I take for motion sickness while breastfeeding?

Hyoscine hydrobromide is used in infants over 1 month old and is the preferred medicine for motion sickness during breastfeeding.

What can I take for diarrhea while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding mothers can take loperamide and/or rehydrating solutions and feed as normal. Acute diarrhoea is a sudden onset or loose and/or frequent bowel motions. It may be caused by infections e.g. food poisoning or a virus.

How to stop diarrhea in breastfed babies fast?

Breastfed Babies with Frequent, Watery Diarrhea:

1. Give your baby breastmilk more often.
2. Also, give extra fluid if breast milk isn’t keeping up with the fluid losses. You can use formula or ORS (Pedialyte).
3. Solid foods: If on baby foods, continue them. Cereals are best.

Can I take loperamide while breastfeeding?

It’s OK to take loperamide while you’re breastfeeding. Only tiny amounts of loperamide pass into breast milk, and your baby will not be able to absorb a lot into their body from breastfeeding. It’s not expected to cause any side effects in your baby.

Is loperamide safe for pregnant?

The only pregnancy-safe medication for diarrhea during pregnancy is loperamide (Imodium®). But note that it shouldn’t be taken after the first trimester and shouldn’t be taken for more than 24 hours.

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

What can I take for a stomach bug while breastfeeding?

Some people are prescribed (or buy) prochlorperazine (Buccastem ®, Stemetil ®) tablets to relieve the nausea and vomiting, loperamide (Imodium®) to reduce the symptoms of diarrhoea and rehydrating sachets (Dioralyte ®) to prevent dehydration. These drugs are suitable to take and carry on breastfeeding as normal.

Which antidiarrheal drugs are safe in lactation?

Given the safety profile of metformin, as compared with sulfonylureas, it is advisable to consider metformin as first-line treatment during lactation if this drug is appropriate for the particular patient. Nevertheless, second-generation sulfonylureas are also likely to be safe during lactation.

Who cannot take loperamide?

Do not take loperamide if you: have severe diarrhoea after taking antibiotics. are having a flare-up of an inflammatory bowel condition like ulcerative colitis. are constipated or your stomach looks swollen.