Breastfeeding and antibiotics?

Question

I have to take a antibiotic called metronidazol and was told to pump and dump. Has anyone every been on this and is it true that i cannot breastfeed.

i have read so many statements that DR and phramasists are not well informed and just play it safe

Answer 1

if you can call this number 256-489-2590. it is a store were i live where there are 2 lacation consultants that have info about all meds and breastfeeding. they were able to look it up and tell me right away.

my doc said no so i didnt. even tho i pumped my milk quit bc i wasnt actually breastfeeding. then i found out about them looking it up, and when they did it turned out i could actually breastfeed with the med, it says not to if you have to be on it for a very long time. and my med was an antibiotic too.

Answer 2

I always went to www.safefetus.com when I had a question about medicine & breastfeeding.  

Answer 3

except for this one case, no reports of adverse effects in metronidazole-exposed nursing infants have been located. However, because the drug is mutagenic and carcinogenic in some test species (see Fetal Risk Summary), unnecessary exposure to metronidazole should be avoided. Because of the potential mutagenic effects and the unknown consequences of exposure in the nursing infant, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using metronidazole with caution during lactation (55)

A single, 2-g oral dose has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control if metronidazole is used for trichomoniasis during lactation (49). If this dose is given, the Academy recommends discontinuing breast feeding for 12–24 hours to allow excretion of the drug (55).

its about 3/4 of the way down the page. I would probably get a different drug

Answer 4

Assuming that antibiotic is unsafe why wouldn't they give you one that is safe?  Seriously - I hate doctors!

Next time tell your Doc to call MOTHERISK while you are in the office so he can prescribe a safe drug.

Motherisk 9-5 EST [phone]

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/se...

Summary of Use during Lactation:

With maternal intravenous and oral therapy, breastfed infants receive metronidazole in doses that are less than those used to treat infections in infants, although the active metabolite adds to the total infant exposure. Plasma levels of the drug and metabolite are measurable, but less than maternal plasma levels. Case reports of candidal infections and diarrhea have been reported, and a comparative trial suggested that oral and rectal colonization with Candida might be more common in infants exposed to metronidazole.

Neither topical nor vaginal metronidazole have been studied during breastfeeding. After vaginal administration, plasma levels are less than 2% of those after a 500 mg oral dose. After topical administration, blood levels are about 1% of the peak plasma levels after a 250 mg oral dose.

Because of the well demonstrated genotoxicity and mutagenicity in bacteria, carcinogenicity in animals, and possible mutagenicity in humans,[1][2] concern has been raised about exposure of healthy infants to metronidazole via breastmilk.[3] The relevance of these findings has been questioned and no definitive study has yet been performed in humans.[2][4]

Opinions vary among experts on the advisability of using metronidazole during longer-term therapy while breastfeeding, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends discontinuing breastfeeding for 12 to 24 hours after single-dose maternal treatment.[3][5] Other drugs are available for some conditions that metronidazole is used to treat. Topical or vaginal use of metronidazole during breastfeeding is unlikely to be of concern.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-...

Antibiotics   [contents]

Amoxicillin Larotid, Amoxil Approved B L1

Aztreonam Azactam Approved B L2

Cefadroxil Ultracef, Duricef Approved B L1

Cefazolin Ancef, Kefzol Approved B L1

Cefotaxime Claforan Approved B L2

Cefoxitin Mefoxin Approved B L1

Cefprozil Cefzil Approved C L1

Ceftazidime Ceftazidime, Fortaz, Taxidime Approved B L1

Ceftriaxone Rocephin Approved B L2

Ciprofloxacin [more] Cipro Approved C L3

Clindamycin Cleocin Approved B L3

Erythromycin E-Mycin, Ery-tab, ERYC, Ilosone Approved B L1

L3 early postnatal

Fleroxacin - Approved - NR

Gentamicin Garamycin Approved C L2

Kanamycin Kebecil, Kantrex Approved D L2

Moxalactam Moxam Approved - NR

Nitrofurantoin Macrobid Approved B L2

Ofloxacin Floxin Approved C L2

Penicillin - Approved B L1

Streptomycin Streptomycin Approved D L3

Sulbactam - Approved - NR

Sulfisoxazole Gantrisin, Azo-Gantrisin Approved C L2

Tetracycline Achromycin, Sumycin, Terramycin Approved D L2

Ticarcillin Ticarcillin, Ticar, Timentin Approved B L1

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole Proloprim, Trimpex Approved C L3

Answer 5

Dr. Hale (the meds and breastfeeding guru) says that Flagyl is safe to use while breastfeeding. (For short term use.  He's less comfortable with long term use.)

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/40/...

(It's not the safest drug, (no evidence of harm, but the possible potential for harm.)  so if there is something else that will work, you might want to talk to your doctor. But if you have to take it, then you don't need to pump and dump.)