Sudafed PE while breastfeedin?

[Leeanne]

Hi,

does anyone know if it is ok to take Sudafed PE while breast feeding? on the box it says to consult a doctor before taking while pregnant, but doesnt mention breastfeeding.

Thanks,

[thats.all.folks]

DON'T DO IT!!!!

I took stuff for a cold [I think Clarytine] and the very next day, I had MAJOR milk drying up. Fought like crap to get it back.....

[Doveyyyyyyyyyyy]

A study has shown that a single 60mg dose of pseudoephedrine reduced 24 hour milk production by 24%. It's risk is L3 ( moderately safe ) - L4 ( possibly hazardous ). ( source: Medications and Mothers' Milk, Thomas W. Hale )

I would avoid taking it if at all possible.

Maybe some natural remedies instead? Plenty of water and as much rest as you can get ( breastfeed laying down if that is your only quiet time! ), steam your head over a bowl of boiling water. You don't need to add anything to it, just the steam will help with a congested head.
Soup is always good for making you feel a bit better.

I'm sure people will have lots of ideas that will help. It's not going to give you the pick-up sudafed would but it's not going to compromise your breastfeeding either.

I hope you feel better soon!

[Persephone]

if you have a blocked nose then using the little fess on yourself works quite well if you can get over the ick factor.

P.

[Leeanne]

Thanks ladies I will give all those ideas a try. This sudafed I think says it has no pseudoephedrine in it but I wont risk it anyway, last thing i need on top of this horrible cold is problems feeding my bub!

Thanks again.

[Doveyyyyyyyyyyy]

I thought all Sudafed contained pseudoephedrine? If you can have a look on the box and tell me the active ingredients I will look them up for you but afaik panadol is about the strongest you can take safely for a cold/flu.
It sucks I know, cold and flu tablets are something I have really missed while b/fing.

[Leeanne]

Just looking now, it is defiely pseudoephedrine free, it is a day and night one.

The day one has phenylephrine, hydrochloride and paracetamol, the night one has phenylephrine hydrochloride, paracetamol and chlorpheniramine maleate.

[thats.all.folks]

pretty sure the clarytine I took was pseudo........ [spelling] free and it screwed with me. I'd not risk it if I was you!!

[Leeanne]

I agree, I'm absolutely not going to risk it.

Thanks again ladies, as always such a fantastic resource!!

[Doveyyyyyyyyyyy]

Originally Posted by Leeanne

Just looking now, it is defiely pseudoephedrine free, it is a day and night one.

The day one has phenylephrine, hydrochloride and paracetamol, the night one has phenylephrine hydrochloride, paracetamol and chlorpheniramine maleate.

phenylephrine is L3 ( moderately safe ) there are concerns that it may inhibit milk production but nothing has been confirmed as yet through studies.
paracetamol is L1 ( safest )
chlorpheniramine is L3 ( moderately safe ) might make bubs sleepy but not enough data to confirm that.

So basically, it is reasonably safe but MAY inhibit your milk production. There is no evidence of these ingredients causing harm to a baby through breastmilk when taken according to the instructions.

If it were me I'd err on the side of caution also. I had a flu 3 weeks ago that was horrid, I was really lucky that Ant was home so I could spend most of 3 days in bed.. there were a few times I almost considered weaning so I could take meds hehe. I'm glad now that I stuck it out but it was darn tempting at the time!

Sending you loads of {{{ get well vibes }}} and fingers crossed that bubs doesn't come down with it too!