©Pregnancy bliss 2008

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Antacids and ulcer drugs (acid-reducers) with breast-feeding

Most of antacids used for peptic ulcers and heartburn are safe but a breast-feeding woman should ensure she reads the manufacturers' recommendation. This is essential because new ones are continually coming out and this opinion is by no means universal.

 

H2receptor antagonists and breast-feeding

Zantac®, the generic name of which is Ranitidine is the most widely used drug in the world for peptic ulcers. It is one of a group of drugs known as H2receptor antagonists. Others include Cimetidine (Dyspamet®, Tagamet®), Nizatidine (Axid®) and Famotidine (Pepcid®). Even though these drugs appear in breast milk in significant amounts, these are known to be safe and breast-feeding should continue.

 

 

 

 

Omeprazole (Losec®) use with breast-feeding

This is also a popular drug used for eliminating Helicobacter pylori, peptic ulcers, or simple heartburn. It belongs to a group of drugs called ‘Proton Pump Inhibitors’. Omeprazole is known to be safe with breast-feeding.

 

 

Anti-emetics use when breast-feeding

Metoclopromide is commonly used for nausea and vomiting. This is one of the few drugs that are actually concentrated in breast-milk. It can make the baby sleepy but no other adverse effect has ever been reported. Since it is usually used for a very short time, the advice is to err on the side of caution by suspending breast-feeding during its use.

 

Prochlorperazine (Stemetil®) or Cyclizine (Valoid®) are other effective medications used to combat nausea and/or vomiting. Specific information as to their effects in this situation is not available and therefore they are rarely prescribed to breast-feeding mothers. When they are, breast-feeding will often be suspended, purely as a precaution.

 

Laxatives and breast-feeding

There are two broad categories of laxatives: those that are absorbed and those that are not (bulk laxatives).

 

Bulk laxatives are safe (they won't get to the baby in any way) but absorbable laxatives should always be avoided. The mother should check which category the prescribed laxative falls into.

 

 

Examples of bulk (safe) laxatives include Isphagula husk (Fybogel®, Isogel®, Fibrelief®, Ispagel Orange®, Regulan®), Methylcellulose (Celevac®), Sterculia (Normacol®) etc.     

 

 

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Zantac and similar acid reducer drugs are safe to use with breast-feeding