What medications decrease milk supply?

Understanding Medications That Decrease Milk Supply
Breastfeeding can be a challenging journey for many new mothers, and various factors can influence milk production. Among these, certain medications have been identified as potential culprits in reducing breast milk supply. Understanding these medications is crucial for nursing mothers who may need to manage their health while breastfeeding.
Key Medications Impacting Milk Supply
1. Estrogen-Containing Birth Control Pills: One of the most commonly cited medications that can decrease milk supply is estrogen, particularly when found in birth control pills. When taken postpartum, estrogen can significantly lower milk production. This effect is sometimes utilized intentionally by healthcare providers to help women who are over-producing milk.
2. Certain Antihistamines: Medications used to treat allergies, such as some antihistamines, can also lead to a decrease in milk supply. These drugs work by blocking histamine receptors, which can inadvertently affect the hormonal balance necessary for milk production.
3. Decongestants: Similar to antihistamines, decongestants can reduce milk supply. These medications often contain pseudoephedrine, which has been shown to have a drying effect on mucous membranes, including those involved in lactation.
4. Diuretics: Medications that promote urine production, known as diuretics, can lead to dehydration. Since adequate hydration is essential for maintaining milk supply, the use of diuretics can indirectly contribute to a decrease in breast milk.
5. Some Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants, particularly those that affect serotonin levels, may also impact milk production. While not all antidepressants have this effect, it is important for nursing mothers to consult with their healthcare providers about the safest options.
Other Factors Influencing Milk Supply
While medications play a significant role, other factors can also affect milk production. Stress, dehydration, and inadequate breastfeeding or pumping frequency can all contribute to a decrease in milk supply. Therefore, it is essential for mothers to maintain a supportive environment and stay hydrated.
Conclusion
For nursing mothers, being aware of the medications that can decrease milk supply is vital. If a mother is prescribed any of the aforementioned medications, it is crucial to discuss potential impacts on breastfeeding with a healthcare provider. By understanding these factors, mothers can make informed decisions that support both their health and their breastfeeding goals.

What medications cause lactation suppression?

Medications that suppress milk production include those that have been used postpartum for women who choose not to breastfeed, such as androgens; estrogens, including those found in low-dose contraceptives; dopaminergic agents, such as bromocriptine or cabergoline, amantadine, and antiparkinsonian drugs; …

What stops your body from producing breast milk?

Take birth control.
Taking estrogen as a part of a combined birth control pill can help stop lactation. Most mothers see a drop in milk production after taking one pill a day for one week.

Do soft breasts mean low milk supply?

Your breasts feel softer
This happens as your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs. The initial breast fullness reduces in the first few weeks. At around 6 weeks, breast fullness is completely gone and your breasts may feel soft. This is completely normal and has no effect on your milk supply.

What inhibits milk supply?

Stress is the No. 1 killer of breastmilk supply, especially in the first few weeks after delivery. Between lack of sleep and adjusting to the baby’s schedule, rising levels of certain hormones such as cortisol can dramatically reduce your milk supply.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended for breastfeeding?

However, caution is advised for cetirizine use while breastfeeding due to the theoretical risk of CNS depression based on limited human data and risk of decreased milk production.

What lowers milk supply?

Other things that can also lead you to have low milk production include:

• Smoking or drinking.
• Some medicines and herbs.
• Hormonal forms of birth control. This is especially true for birth control that has estrogen.
• Nursing or pumping less often.
• Getting sick.
• Feeling stressed.
• Getting pregnant again.

What dries up milk supply?

Several factors will affect how long it takes for your milk to dry up, including your baby’s age and how much milk your body is making.

• 7 ways to dry your breast milk supply quickly.
• Cold turkey.
• Herbs.
• Cabbage.
• Birth control.
• Sudafed.
• Vitamin B.
• Other drugs.

What medications dry up breast milk supply?

What medications do you think have been found to decrease milk supply? Choose 1 or more:

• Epinephrine.
• Labetolol.
• High dose steroids (such as Solumedrol)
• Strong antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Testosterone.
• Estrogen.
• Methylergonovine (Methergine)
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)

What medication reduces breast milk?

Women sometimes to ask for a tablet to stop their milk supply. This medication works best if it is taken within 12- 24 hours of your baby’s birth. The medication is not routinely prescribed in hospital due to the many side effects and health risks with this medication. The medication is called cabergoline (Dostinex®).

What causes a drastic drop in milk supply?

A decrease in milk supply can be caused by a variety of different factors. A very common (and solvable) problem is not pumping or feeding enough. Because milk production works on a supply and demand basis, not pumping on a frequent schedule will signal to your body that it does not need to produce milk.