Phenylephrine, an ingredient in pediatric cough and cold preparations, is considered safe. While excretion into breast milk is unknown, it is unlikely to be excreted into breast milk in large quantities due to its poor bioavailability.
Will phenylephrine dry up breast milk?
The oral bioavailability of phenylephrine is only about 40%,[1] so the drug is unlikely to reach the infant in large amounts. However, intravenous or oral administration of phenylephrine might decrease milk production.
Is phenylephrine HCL safe during pregnancy?
Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are pregnancy category C in all three trimesters of pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) recommend using pseudoephedrine during pregnancy.
What nasal decongestants are safe while breastfeeding?
Decongestants. Both pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are generally considered to be safe for the breastfed baby, but pseudoephedrine may reduce milk supply.
Is phenylephrine HCL bad?
Phenylephrine side effects
severe dizziness or nervousness; sleep problems (insomnia); or. increased blood pressure–severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears.
Do decongestants dry up breast milk?
Pseudoephedrine, or Sudafed, is a common over-the-counter decongestant. Research shows the Sudafed causes a noticeable decrease in milk production. Like birth control, Sudafed should only be used to suppress lactation under the supervision of a doctor.
Will Sudafed PE dry up breast milk?
Head or nasal congestion
The decongestants that you take by mouth — like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or phenylephrine PE (Sudafed PE) — pose little risk for babies, but could reduce your milk supply. This milk supply reduction doesn’t always happen, but it could.
Why is phenylephrine bad for pregnancy?
Research suggests that phenylephrine that’s taken by mouth is not safe for pregnant women. This is because of the way phenylephrine works. The drug relieves nasal congestion by narrowing the blood vessels in your nasal passages. This reduces the secretions in the nasal passages and opens up the airways.
Is diphenhydramine HCL safe for pregnancy?
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 does phenylephrine stay in system?
The elimination half life of phenylephrine is about 2.5 to 3.0 hours. The clinical effects of a single intravenous bolus dose of phenylephrine are short lived and needs to be repeated every 10–15 minutes.
Why is Zyrtec not recommended while breastfeeding?
However, caution is advised for cetirizine use while breastfeeding due to the theoretical risk of CNS depression based on limited human data and risk of decreased milk production.
Which antihistamine is best for breastfeeding?
Loratadine or cetirizine are the antihistamine tablets recommended if you’re breastfeeding.
Can you breastfeed while taking Sudafed?
Sudafed does pass into breast milk. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it’s still likely safe to take Sudafed while breastfeeding, though. The risks to a child who is breastfed are thought to be low.