Receiving Helpdesk

is it safe to take benadryl while breastfeeding

by Jakob Keebler Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Benadryl is used to temporarily relieve the symptoms of allergies, hay fever, or the common cold. It's generally safe to use. However, Benadryl can pass through breast milk and affect your child. So, it's not the best choice if you're breastfeeding.Oct 13, 2016

Is it safe to take diet pills while breastfeeding?

Weight-loss supplements may not be safe to take while breastfeeding. You had the baby, and now you're ready to lose the weight. Weight loss supplements may be tempting, but if you're breastfeeding, you might want to consider other options. It's not known how these types of supplements affect the baby, and you're better off not taking them at all.

What are the side effects of too much Benadryl?

painful or difficult urination. Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults. day-time drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after night-time use. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Is Robitussin DM safe while breastfeeding?

The expectorant guaifenesin and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan are often found together in products like Mucinex DM or Robitussin DM. Both of these medications are okay to take while breastfeeding. Small, occasional doses of antihistamines are acceptable while nursing.

Is it safe to take Excedrin while breastfeeding?

While breastfeeding your baby; you can probably avoid taking a dose of Excedrin without a cause for concern. However; it should not be used for a long time; unless directed by a doctor. Avoid taking it completely as long as you are breastfeeding your baby so it can cause negative or harmful side effects to your baby.

How long does it take for Benadryl to get out of breastmilk?

One old study that used a biologic assay system reported that after a 100 mg intramuscular dose of diphenhydramine in four women, drug levels in milk were undetectable in two and 42 and 100 mcg/L in two others at one hour after the dose.

What allergy medicine is safe while breastfeeding?

Cold and allergy meds that are safe while breastfeeding include: Zyrtec (cetirizine) is the preferred antihistamine when breastfeeding. Other antihistamines are also considered safe but do not have as much research to support this. These include Allegra Claritin, and Xyzal.

Can I take Benadryl while pregnant?

Benadryl is considered to be safe during pregnancy. Doctors and nurses recommend this OTC medication to help relieve allergy symptoms, even while you're pregnant. Recent studies have found Benadryl to be safe. However, always remember that no medicine — prescription or OTC — is ever 100 percent safe during pregnancy.

How long is Benadryl in your system?

For the average healthy adult, elimination half-life ranges from 6.7 to 11.7 hours. So between 6 to 12 hours after taking Benadryl, half the drug will be eliminated from the body. Within two days, the drug will be completely gone from the body.

What Is Benadryl?

Benadryl is an over-the-counter (OTC) brand of medicines sold to treat a variety of conditions ranging from coughing to skin allergies. It is available in topical and oral forms. Topical Benadryl is used for treating skin allergy symptoms such as skin rashes and itching.

What Are The Ingredients Of Benadryl?

The primary, active ingredient of most Benadryl products is diphenhydramine. It belongs to a class of compounds called antihistamines, which are used to relieve a wide range of allergy symptoms (1). Antihistamines block the action of histamine, a molecule within the body responsible for triggering allergy symptoms.

Is It Safe To Have Benadryl When Breastfeeding?

Yes, but here is something you need to know before using Benadryl when you are lactating.

Can Benadryl Cause Side Effects In Babies?

Yes. The following are the possible side effects of maternal Benadryl usage on the breastfeeding infant.

What Are The Alternatives To Benadryl?

The alternatives to Benadryl vary depending on why you are using the medicine. The following are some of the baby-safe substitutes for Benadryl:

What Is Benadryl?

Benadryl is the brand name of an over-the-counter medication designed to relieve itching, burning, redness, and other symptoms caused by an allergic reaction. The active ingredient in Benadryl is diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine.

Is it Safe to Take Benadryl While Breastfeeding?

Most healthcare professionals recommend not taking Benadryl while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Not only can the drug impact you personally by making you tired, but it also can be passed to your baby through your milk.

Risks of Taking Benadryl While Breastfeeding

When it comes to breastfeeding and Benadryl use, the most troubling impact are the side effects. Not only can Benadryl cause you to become drowsy, but it also can create coordination problems. Being sleepy and clumsy is not a good combination when trying to care for your baby—especially a newborn or an infant.

Breastfeeding Safe Alternatives

Keep in mind that Benadryl is not the only way to address your seasonal allergies. Here are some safe alternatives for treating your allergy symptoms that will have less of an impact on you, your baby, and your breast milk.

A Word From Verywell

When it comes to taking Benadryl while nursing, healthcare providers typically recommend that breastfeeding mothers not take Benadryl and instead use other options for addressing their allergies. Some options include Claritin, saline nasal sprays, and eye drops.

What is the generic name for Benadryl?

The generic medical name of Benadryl is Diphenhydramine, and it is commonly used as the main ingredient in other drugs as well, such as Unisom. This is an antihistamine drug, and it is more potent than other cold treatments.

Can you use a saline cream for fever?

You can find this as an oral treatment but also as cream and even different lotions. You can use it if you have a fever, as well as varied reactions to food that cause indigestion. Your doctor might also prescribe you this if you have any resting problems, or you get motion sickness.

Can you take Benadryl while nursing?

Taking Benadryl when you are nursing should come after a doctor’s prescription. There are both risks and benefits associated with this treatment. . Benadryl is one of the most common medicines on the market. It is usually found in pharmacies without the need for a doctor’s prescription.

Does breastfeeding affect milk flow?

This treatment can also impact how much milk your baby gets as it affects the milk flow by reducing it. If you do take this while you are breastfeeding, your baby might be more fussy and drowsy. These side effects will be more visible in younger infants, such as newborns. The older your baby gets, the fewer side effects they will have ...

Can you get a cold medicine without a prescription?

It is usually found in pharmacies without the need for a doctor’s prescription. This might be one of the first treatments that come to mind if you are dealing with a cold and want to treat it at home. It is an excellent treatment for not just cold but also allergic reactions.

Is it safe to take a syringe while pregnant?

You should, however, be aware that while this is safe treatment during pregnancy, it is not risk-free if you are breastfeeding. The main reason for this is that the drug can go to your breastmilk and affect your baby.

Does Benadryl affect breastmilk?

Other similar drugs might not go in the breastmilk as Benadryl does, and therefore, they will not affect your infant so much. This treatment is also used in emergency departments because it takes effect fast and is very efficient at reducing the symptoms.

Is Benadryl safe for breastfeeding?

Low doses of Benadryl administered during breastfeeding or occasional use is regarded safe. The prescribed low doses transfers a small amount of Benadryl components to breast milk, which indicates little to no pediatric side effects on your baby. In contrast, observable side effects may present on infants breastfeeding from mothers who take high doses of Benadryl daily or with long term Benadryl use such as colic, drowsiness and irritability.

Can you taper off Benadryl while breastfeeding?

The physician will assess the mother’s need to medicate using Benadryl before deciding tapering off the medication or stop breastfeeding instead. In case your physician recommends continuous Benadryl use for treatment, make sure to notice changes or potential side effects on your breastfeeding baby.

What to do if you are breast feeding and taking medication?

If you're breast-feeding and plan to take medication, check with your health care provider. Avoid taking unnecessary medications, such as herbal medications, high-dose vitamins and unusual supplements. Also ask about the timing. For example, taking medication immediately after breast-feeding might help minimize your baby's exposure.

Can you pump milk while taking a medication?

Discard the milk you pump while you're taking the medication. If you're not sure if a medication is compatible with breast-feeding, pump, label and store expressed breast milk in a separate area until you check with your health care provider. If you need to stop breast-feeding permanently — which is unusual — ask your health care provider about ...

Can breast milk cause kidney problems?

Yes. Exposure to medication in breast milk poses the greatest risk to premature babies, newborns, and babies who are medically unstable or have poorly functioning kidneys. The risk is lowest for healthy babies 6 months and older, who can move drugs through their bodies efficiently.

Is it safe to take meds while breast feeding?

Still, a few medications aren't safe to take while breast-feeding.

Can medication affect breast milk?

Know how medications can affect your breast milk and which drugs are safe to take. By Mayo Clinic Staff. If you're breast-feeding, you're giving your baby a healthy start. However, if you need to take medication, you might have questions about the possible impact on your breast milk. Here's what you need to know.

Is it safe for mothers to use prescription medications while breastfeeding?

Usually. A 2013 clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “ The Transfer of Drugs and Therapeutics into Human Breast Milk: An Update on Selected Topics, external icon ” indicates that most medications and immunizations are safe to use during lactation.

Where can I search for specific medications and their safety in mothers while breastfeeding?

The US National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) maintains LactMed® external icon , a database containing information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9