Which antibiotics are safe during breastfeeding?

Understanding Antibiotics and Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often face the dilemma of needing antibiotics while being concerned about the safety of these medications for their infants. The good news is that many antibiotics are considered safe to use during breastfeeding, allowing mothers to treat infections without compromising their baby’s health.
Safe Antibiotics for Breastfeeding Mothers
According to medical experts, most antibiotics are compatible with breastfeeding. Commonly prescribed antibiotics, such as penicillins (like amoxicillin) and erythromycin, are generally regarded as safe for nursing mothers. These medications have been extensively studied and are known to pass into breast milk in minimal amounts, which are unlikely to affect the breastfeeding infant adversely.
Additionally, certain antibiotics, including sulfa-based antibiotics and nitrofurantoin, have also been found to be safe for breastfeeding mothers. This means that if a mother is prescribed these medications, she can continue breastfeeding without significant concern.
Considerations for Specific Antibiotics
While many antibiotics are safe, some require more caution. For instance, gentamicin and meropenem, which are often administered intravenously, are poorly absorbed from the gut. This characteristic means that even if they enter breast milk, they are unlikely to be absorbed in significant quantities by the infant. Therefore, breastfeeding can typically continue without interruption when these antibiotics are prescribed.
However, it is essential for mothers to monitor their infants for any unusual reactions when starting a new antibiotic. While adverse effects are rare, being vigilant can help ensure the baby’s well-being.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can generally take a variety of antibiotics without fear of harming their infants. Penicillins, erythromycin, sulfa-based antibiotics, and nitrofurantoin are among those deemed safe. As always, mothers should consult with their healthcare providers to discuss any medications they are prescribed and to ensure that they are making informed choices about their health and their baby’s safety.

Which antibiotics are not used in breastfeeding?

Antibiotics to Avoid While Breastfeeding
Clindamycin: Clindamycin can sometimes cause mild gastrointestinal (GI) effects like diarrhea, vomiting, diaper rash, or thrush in a breastfed baby2. Co-trimoxazole: Rarely prescribed to breastfeeding parents of newborns because of an association with increased jaundice3.

Can I take a zpack while breastfeeding?

Azithromycin and breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says that your baby is healthy, it’s OK to take azithromycin while breastfeeding. Azithromycin passes into breast milk in small amounts. It has not been known to cause any side effects in breastfed babies.

Can a breastfeeding mother take amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is safe for use in women who are breastfeeding. Its physical characteristics, including low fat solubility, low protein binding, and acidic pH, limit its transfer into breastmilk. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers this drug to be safe to take when breastfeeding.

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.

What antibiotics can you take 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®,

How long does amoxicillin stay in your breast milk?

Amoxicillin Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Average milk levels were 0.69 mg/L (range 0.46 to 0.88 mg/L) at 4 hours and 0.81 mg/L (range 0.39 to 1.3 mg/L) at 5 hours after the dose.

What medication is not safe for breastfeeding?

ANSWER: Only a few drugs pose a clinically significant risk to breastfed babies. In general, antineoplastics, drugs of abuse, some anticonvulsants, ergot alkaloids, and radiopharmaceuticals should not be taken, and levels of amiodarone, cyclosporine, and lithium should be monitored.

What is not recommended for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

What drugs can pass through a mother’s breast milk and harm a nursing baby?

If you are breastfeeding, you should not take illegal drugs. Some drugs, such as cocaine and PCP, can make the baby high. Other drugs, such as heroin and marijuana can cause irritability, poor sleeping patterns, tremors, and vomiting. Babies can become addicted to these drugs.

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.