Which muscle relaxant is safe in lactation?

Overview of Muscle Relaxants During Lactation
When it comes to managing muscle spasticity or tension in breastfeeding mothers, the choice of medication is critical. Not all muscle relaxants are safe to use while lactating, as some can pass into breast milk and potentially affect the infant. Thus, understanding which muscle relaxants are considered safe is essential for nursing mothers.
Common Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants can be broadly categorized into two types: centrally acting muscle relaxants and peripherally acting muscle relaxants. Centrally acting agents are more commonly prescribed for acute muscle spasms and include medications such as:
– Baclofen
– Cyclobenzaprine
– Methocarbamol
Peripherally acting muscle relaxants, such as dantrolene, are typically used for conditions like spasticity.
Safety in Lactation
Among the various muscle relaxants, methocarbamol and baclofen are generally considered to be relatively safe for use during lactation.
– Methocarbamol has limited data regarding its excretion in breast milk, but it is considered compatible with breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) classifies methocarbamol as a medication with low risk, suggesting that it can be used when necessary.

– Baclofen is another muscle relaxant that has been studied more extensively. Studies indicate that it is excreted in breast milk in very small amounts. The AAP also considers baclofen compatible with breastfeeding, as the amounts transferred to the infant are negligible and unlikely to cause any adverse effects.
Other muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine, are not recommended during lactation due to insufficient data on their safety and higher potential for side effects in nursing infants.
Clinical Considerations
When prescribing muscle relaxants to breastfeeding mothers, healthcare providers consider several factors:
1. Dosage and Timing: Using the lowest effective dose and timing doses just after breastfeeding can minimize the amount of medication the infant is exposed to.

2. Monitoring the Infant: Mothers using muscle relaxants should monitor their infants for any unusual symptoms, such as excessive sleepiness or feeding difficulties.
3. Consultation with Healthcare Providers: It is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to discuss any medication use with their healthcare provider to weigh the benefits against potential risks.
Conclusion
In summary, methocarbamol and baclofen are the most commonly recommended muscle relaxants deemed safe for use during lactation. As with any medication, it is paramount for breastfeeding mothers to consult with their healthcare providers to ensure the safety of both mother and child. The careful selection of muscle relaxants can help manage discomfort while maintaining the health and well-being of the nursing infant.

What can I take for muscle pain while breastfeeding?

Paracetamol is the first choice pain medication during breastfeeding. While it appears in breast milk, the amount is too small to cause harm to your baby. Sometimes paracetamol alone may not control your pain. In this case a non- steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), for example ibuprofen, can also be taken.

Can you get a relaxer while breastfeeding?

Information about having hair treatments while breastfeeding is limited. However, the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists states that it is highly unlikely that a significant amount of the chemicals used would enter the breastmilk because very little enters the mother’s bloodstream.

Can I take robaxin while breastfeeding?

Therefore, you should not take Methocarbamol tablets if you are breast-feeding. Methocarbamol may affect your ability to drive and use machines.

Which muscle relaxant is safe for breastfeeding?

Summary of Use during Lactation
Limited information indicates that orally administered baclofen appears in low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months.

What anti-inflammatory is safe while breastfeeding?

There is very limited published information on the use of NSAIDs during breastfeeding; however ibuprofen and diclofenac are the preferred choices due to their shorter half-lives and extensive use during breastfeeding in clinical practice.

Is Flexeril safe while breastfeeding?

Cyclobenzaprine Breastfeeding Warnings
Caution is recommended. The effects in the nursing infant are unknown. This drug has been shown to be excreted in rat milk and achieve concentrations in the milk which are 50% of those in the rat maternal plasma.

Can you take muscle relaxers nursing?

Yes, you can take Flexeril while breastfeeding, but it’s important to do so under the guidance of your healthcare provider. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant commonly used to relieve skeletal muscle spasms and associated pain.

What muscle relaxer can I take while pregnant?

Rocuronium. Rocuronium is currently the most commonly used skeletal muscle relaxant during pregnancy and puerperium period.

Can I take Robaxin while breastfeeding?

Therefore, you should not take Methocarbamol tablets if you are breast-feeding. Methocarbamol may affect your ability to drive and use machines.

Is tramadol safe for breastfeeding?

Healthcare professionals should be aware that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with codeine or tramadol due to the risk of serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants such as excess sleepiness, difficulty breastfeeding, and serious breathing problems, which may result in death.