Have allergies and nursing, taking Claritin and Proventilin

QUESTION: : I am nursing and have severe allergies from May to Nov. and take various medications for this to help me. I also have allergy induced asthma and use Proventilin inhaler. I would like to continue to nurse but all the information I have about the medications that I take go into breastmilk. I am taking Claritin and Proventilin. Is there any medications that would treat my condition but not show up in breastmilk?

Thank you for your time. I await your response.

Dear Karin:

Proventil is compatible with breastfeeding according to the AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics. It probably does not show up in great amounts in your milk.

In most cases small doses of antihistamines are generally not a problem with breastfeeding, especially if mom uses a shorter acting agent rather than a time release one.

The only antihistamine that is listed to cause irritability in babies is Tavist. Claritin does seem to have a broad safety profile. They now make it in the liquid form for children.

You did not say the age of your baby. In a very young baby all I would look out for is a major drop in your milk supply (not likely) or a decrease out put (wet diapers) from the baby. If either of these occur increasing the number of feedings per day should correct the problem. There is no medication on the market that we can say with 100% certainty will not get into the milk in some amount -- what we are concerned with is if the small amount that does go into the milk will cause a problem with the baby and I am glad to say that there are very few medications – other than street drugs and cancer medications that are contraindicated while nursing.

Sincerely,

 Anne Norton-Krawciw, RPh, IBCLC

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