Peptic Ulcer!

[CompletelyInsane]

I have been diagnosed w/peptic ulcer. I have been on zantac, didn't help. Put me on prilosec, feel better. Today found out it isn't recommended for breastfeeding. Been on high doses for 2wks! The doctor at hospital told me it was safe. I am really sad, I never would want to do anything to hurt my little girl.
I had been taking domperidone (because of bad mastitis) for several months and had just quit taking it when the ulcer came on.
My OB suggested I quit BF! I often wonder if the domperidone caused the ulcer.
Not ready to quit. Anypne else been thru this, any suggestions.

[KerryS]

Prilosec is considered an L2 medication ("safer"). It's believed that most of the medication would be destroyed by the pH in the infant's gut, therefore it probably wouldn't enter the infant's bloodstream.

I've been taking very high doses of domperidone for 8 months and haven't had any gastric problems, and I'm not aware that that's a commonly documented side effect of its use.

[KerryS]

Has your doctor talked to you about using antibiotics to treat peptic ulcer? It's now believed that many cases of peptic ulcer are caused by a bacterium (H. pylori, specifically).

[madelsmama]

I'm not a doc, but I'm doubtful that domperidone would cause a peptic ulcer. Domperidone increases peristalsis and gastric emptying; Peptic ulcers are caused by H. Pylori (bacteria). Were antibiotics discussed?

Opinions on prilosec and breastfeeding by Dr. Thomas Hale and others:
http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/53/2889.html
http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/53/85831.html
http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/breastfeeding/medications-breastfeeding.html (read despite the title of link)

ETA: Cross-posted with Kerry, sorry for the duplicate info.

[CompletelyInsane]

Thank you so much for the great info. It's always so helpful here! I have one more questions you guys might be able to answer. I really need to start back on the motillium. I have been looking online to see if there are any drug interactions bwt them, but can't find any info. Don't really want to call my OB back, because they want me to go off the prilosec or quit BFing!!!

[Nipple_nectar]

Between Cheryl & Kerry~ you are in very good hands here! It's a shame your OB doesn't see the value in your BFing relationship:( How long have you been BFing?

[KerryS]

Thank you so much for the great info. It's always so helpful here! I have one more questions you guys might be able to answer. I really need to start back on the motillium. I have been looking online to see if there are any drug interactions bwt them, but can't find any info. Don't really want to call my OB back, because they want me to go off the prilosec or quit BFing!!!


It's hard to answer because my drug guides that would give specific drug interactions are all US texts, and domperidone is not in them. I'm guessing a US doctor probably wouldn't be able to answer. The Mayo Clinic website only lists Lithium as a potential problem WRT drug interactions. Otherwise it just gives the standard "discuss with your doctor"

THat might be a good question to email to Jack Newman - he's VERY good at responding to emails.

[Nipple_nectar]

I agree that Dr. Jack Newman can help you, he is the leading researcher in the field of breastfeeding!

Here is his website: http://www.drjacknewman.com/

Let us know what he says:)

[madelsmama]

Or just call your local pharamcist for a quick drug interaction check.

I found this online:
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Because this medication enhances movement in the digestive tract, it may affect the absorption and action of other medications. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor of any nonprescription or prescription medication you may take, especially of: MAOIs (e.g., furazolidone, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Since yesterday, I've read a few places that say that domperidone is contraindicated in instances of stomach bleeding. Since peptic ulcers can bleed and that is a potentially serious complication, I think I'd want to hold off on the dom for a few days or get futher info from a GI specialist or an interist--whoever it was that prescribed the prilosec.