Can i take afrin while breastfeeding

These symptoms should go away on their own. Afrin may also cause serious side effects. These can include a fast or slow heart rate. Call your doctor right away if you have any heart rate changes. A first-line medication for allergies during pregnancy would have the most research showing two things: that the drug is effective and that it does not cause birth defects when used during pregnancy.

First-line medications used to treat nasal allergies in pregnant women include:. Read more: Overview of nasal and oral corticosteroids for allergies ». Sinus and nasal problems are bothersome but not life-threatening, so your doctor may also suggest nondrug ways to relieve your discomfort.

Your doctor may first suggest trying these tips to prevent or reduce allergy symptoms. Learn more: Neti pots for nasal congestion ». If you have more questions about using Afrin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. They may suggest other options that can help ease your nasal and sinus problems.

You may want to ask your doctor the following questions:. Your doctor can help you find relief from your allergy symptoms while keeping your pregnancy safe.

Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion. In short, this occurs when the medication squeezes blood from your nasal tissues.

It seems like you…. Humidifiers can provide allergy relief by introducing more moisture into the air and easing irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes. Running a humidifier can be a great way to add moisture to dry indoor air.

But using a dirty humidifiers can emit harmful particles into the air…. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can relieve cold and allergy symptoms, nosebleeds, and dry skin.

However, not all humidifiers are the…. But, since not enough is known about the long-term effects of medications on breastfeeding babies, it's best to play it safe when it comes to taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs while you're breastfeeding, and to avoid any medication unless it's been prescribed to you by a doctor, dentist or other health care provider who knows you're nursing, or is from a list of safe OTC meds which again, most are. In June , the Food and Drug Administration FDA started requiring prescription drug manufacturers to meet new labeling standards that offer more up-to-date and detailed information specific to lactating moms.

Under the new rules, drug-makers must disclose the amount of the drug that ends up in breast milk and any potential side effects on breastfed babies, along with details on any human and animal studies that have been done and any adverse reactions in breastfeeding women.

This information will help you and your health care provider better understand the risks versus the benefits of taking a medication while you're breastfeeding. In the meantime, just about every OTC and prescription medication simply carries a warning on the label, package or both to consult a doctor before taking it if you're nursing. That means your best source of information is your baby's pediatrician or your prenatal practitioner.

He or she can give you the short list of common medications that are breastfeeding compatible and that you can take as needed without getting clearance each time , as well as advise you on whether medications or supplements you've been prescribed or take regularly say, for a chronic condition need to be adjusted until you wean your little one.

The most recent research indicates that most medications can be used safely during breastfeeding. These include but are not limited to :. And some medications should be avoided because they can reduce your milk supply, including but not limited to :.

The research jury is still out on other medications certain classes of antihistamines, for instance, or some antidepressants. And other medications are safe, but only if they're used sparingly and temporarily such as narcotics for pain after a cesarean delivery, for instance; take only one tablet every six to eight hours maximum and watch for drowsiness in the baby.

Be sure to check with your baby's pediatrician for the most up-to-date info on what is and isn't safe. In some cases, a less-safe medication can safely be discontinued while a mom is breastfeeding, and in others, it's possible to find a safer substitute. When medication that isn't compatible with breastfeeding is needed short-term, nursing can be stopped temporarily with breasts pumped and milk tossed — a. Or dosing can be timed for just after nursing or before baby's longest sleep period i. As always, you should only take medicines — and that includes herbals and supplements — with your practitioner's approval.

You can also check out the National Library of Medicine's Drug and Lactation database LactMed , the Infant Risk Center or MotherRisk for more information on which medications are safe and which aren't when you're breastfeeding your little one. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

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