What happens if I took Excedrin while breastfeeding?

Understanding Excedrin and Breastfeeding
Excedrin is a popular over-the-counter medication commonly used to relieve headaches, including migraines. However, for breastfeeding mothers, the decision to take Excedrin can raise important health considerations for both the mother and her infant.
Composition of Excedrin
Excedrin typically contains a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Each of these components has different implications when it comes to breastfeeding. Acetaminophen is generally considered safe for nursing mothers, as it passes into breast milk in small amounts and is unlikely to harm a breastfeeding infant. Aspirin, on the other hand, is often advised against during breastfeeding due to potential risks, including Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can affect children.
Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine is another critical component of Excedrin. While moderate caffeine consumption is usually deemed safe during breastfeeding, it can pass into breast milk and may affect a baby’s sleep patterns and overall behavior. Infants metabolize caffeine much more slowly than adults, which means that even small amounts can lead to increased irritability or difficulty sleeping in some babies.
Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers
Health professionals generally advise caution when it comes to taking Excedrin while breastfeeding. While acetaminophen is safe, the presence of aspirin and caffeine complicates matters. Many healthcare providers recommend alternative pain relief methods that do not carry the same risks, especially for mothers who are nursing.
If a breastfeeding mother finds herself in need of headache relief, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider. They can offer personalized advice and may suggest safer alternatives, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen alone, which are often recommended for postpartum pain relief.
Conclusion
In summary, while Excedrin can be effective for headache relief, its use during breastfeeding is not without risks. The combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine can pose potential health concerns for infants. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should seek professional guidance to ensure both their health and the well-being of their child are prioritized.

Can I breastfeed my baby after taking aspirin?

Only take low dose aspirin while you’re breastfeeding if your doctor has advised you to do so. Aspirin passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and it is unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby. However, there is a possible link between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome in children.

What if I took Excedrin while breastfeeding?

Aspirin: Don’t take aspirin or aspirin-containing products when you’re breastfeeding because the drug can cause adverse effects in your baby. Remember that there’s often aspirin in over-the-counter headache medications like Excedrin and Excedrin Migraine.

What happens if you accidentally take aspirin while pregnant?

Increased risks of gastroschisis, cleft lip and palate, and neural tube defects have been reported following maternal use of aspirin during pregnancy (mainly at analgesic doses), however data are conflicting and may also be confounded, and a causal association with aspirin has not been proven.

Can Excedrin harm my baby?

Consult with your health care provider before taking Excedrin Migraine during your first two trimesters as well, since it contains full-dose aspirin. Although low-dose aspirin is considered safe during pregnancy, it is recommended that you avoid full-dose aspirin after your 20th week of gestation.

What happens if you accidentally take Excedrin while pregnant?

Aspirin may be harmful to an unborn baby’s heart, and may also reduce birth weight or have other dangerous effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking Excedrin.

Why was Excedrin taken off the market?

Why is there a shortage of Excedrin®? In their official statement, GlaxoSmithKline said they’ve halted production because of “inconsistencies in how we transfer and weigh ingredients.” There isn’t a nationwide shortage yet, but drugstores won’t be able to restock once they run out of their current supply.

Is Excedrin Migraine safe for pregnancy?

Official answer. It is not safe to take Excedrin Migraine during the third trimester of pregnancy because this medication contains aspirin, which may cause harm to your unborn baby or increase your risk of complications during delivery.

What is the strongest painkiller I can take while breastfeeding?

Morphine (Oramorph®, Actimorph®) is the strong opioid of choice while breastfeeding. It can be used with caution at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible duration. Oral morphine is frequently given to mothers after a caesarean section. You can use it with caution when breastfeeding.

How long do you have to wait to breastfeed after taking a pain pill?

The amount that transfers into breast milk is 2.2-3.7% of your dose. We think short term use is probably ok if you do not exceed 40mg in 24 hours. We recommend taking the medication after nursing so you have a break before nursing again as the medication peaks in the breast milk in the first 2 hours after taking it.

How long until Excedrin wears off?

Key Points. Excedrin Migraine can work as quickly as 30 minutes to relieve your migraine pain. In clinical studies, patients with moderate to severe migraines experienced pain relief with one dose and it lasted up to 6 hours.