Can i take diphenhydramine while breastfeeding

The manufacturer errs on the side of caution and recommends that women avoid the medication while breastfeeding because it is excreted in breast milk and newborns are particularly sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Studies have shown, however, that the effects on infants do not occur in most cases or are usually rather mild.

It blocks the effects of histamine in the body and is used to treat allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Some might use it as a sleep aid as well. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth? There are a few reports of withdrawal symptoms tremors and diarrhea in infants whose mothers took diphenhydramine daily throughout pregnancy. Does taking diphenhydramine in pregnancy cause long-term problems in behavior or learning for the baby?

It is not known if diphenhydramine exposure in a pregnancy can cause behavior or learning issues. Is there anyone who should avoid taking diphenhydramine during pregnancy? A single human report in and animal data have suggested that the combination of the two medications temazepam a benzodiazepine and diphenhydramine might increase the chance for stillbirth or infant death shortly after birth.

Due to the potential drug interaction, it has been recommended that these two medications not be used together during pregnancy. Diphenhydramine has not been well studied for use in breastfeeding.

This medication can cause sleepiness in adults as well as the nursing baby. However, short-term or occasional use of diphenhydramine would be unlikely to pose an increased chance of harm during breastfeeding. If you need to take an antihistamine regularly, ask your healthcare provider if a non-sedating medication would work for your symptoms.

Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions. 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. Benadryl, which comes in tablets, capsules, liquids, and creams, helps block histamine, a substance that certain cells in your body release during an allergic reaction.

Typically, a histamine response will include a runny nose, sneezing, itchiness, and watery eyes. Sometimes people even develop skin rashes in response to an allergen. The diphenhydramine in Benadryl helps to reduce the body's histamine response and treat the symptoms.

What's more, diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine, which means it was one of the first of its kind to be developed. As a result, there are more side effects from these drugs than later generations of antihistamines.

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. Consequently, this can cause your baby to become drowsy, excitable, or even irritable. In fact, according to LactMed, a U. No one can tell you with absolute certainty that taking Benadryl is safe because there are no real studies on these types of medications as it is unethical to test adverse effects on infants.

Breastfeeding mothers also should reconsider taking Benadryl because of the impact it has on their milk supply. Even just one dose of the drug can reduce the amount of milk a breastfeeding mom produces. Although everyone's body is different, just one dose can impact a mom's milk supply," says Lexi Hess, a certified lactation counselor in Ohio.

Every breastfeeding journey is different. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider about your circumstances if you have any questions about 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.

She might not hear the baby cry or she might dose off while feeding or holding her baby. Benadryl gets into the central nervous system, meaning it is not the best option for breastfeeding parents. Topical Benadryl is used for treating skin allergy symptoms such as skin rashes and itching. Oral Benadryl is available as capsules, chewable tablets, and syrup that are used for treating cold, cough, and allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy throat, etc.

A variant of Benadryl syrup is also used specifically to provide relief from cough and soothe a sore throat. Back to top. 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. The body absorbs diphenhydramine from Benadryl either through the skin or the stomach depending on the mode of administration.

Blood carries diphenhydramine to different parts of the body, including the breast tissue, from where it can find its way into breast milk.

Benadryl does have a potential to cause side effects in babies, and it is vital to know all about it. The following are the possible side effects of maternal Benadryl usage on the breastfeeding infant. Always consult your doctor before having any medicine during lactation , keeping in mind the health of the baby.