Which antihistamine is safest in breastfeeding?

Understanding Antihistamines and Breastfeeding Safety
When it comes to managing allergies or cold symptoms during breastfeeding, the safety of antihistamines is a primary concern for nursing mothers. The choice of antihistamine can significantly impact both the mother’s health and the well-being of her infant.
Preferred Antihistamines for Breastfeeding Mothers
Non-sedating antihistamines are generally considered the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. Medications such as cetirizine and loratadine are often recommended due to their minimal sedative effects and lower likelihood of transferring into breast milk in significant amounts. These antihistamines are effective in alleviating allergy symptoms without causing drowsiness, making them suitable for mothers who need to remain alert and attentive to their infants.
In contrast, sedating antihistamines, which include older medications like diphenhydramine, may pose more risks. While some studies suggest that these first-generation antihistamines can be used with caution, they are not the preferred choice due to their potential to cause sedation in both the mother and the breastfeeding infant. The sedative effects can interfere with the infant’s alertness and feeding patterns, which is a significant consideration for nursing mothers.
Monitoring and Caution
While non-sedating antihistamines are deemed safe, it is still essential for mothers to monitor their infants for any unusual reactions. The amount of medication that enters breast milk can vary based on several factors, including the specific drug, dosage, and timing of administration. Therefore, healthcare providers often advise breastfeeding mothers to use these medications judiciously and to observe their babies for any signs of drowsiness or irritability.
Conclusion
In summary, cetirizine and loratadine stand out as the safest antihistamines for breastfeeding mothers, allowing them to manage allergy symptoms effectively while minimizing risks to their infants. As always, it is advisable for mothers to consult with healthcare professionals before starting any medication to ensure the best outcomes for both themselves and their babies.

What is the safest antihistamine for babies?

Whether you’re dealing with seasonal allergies or food allergies, your children’s doctor can recommend allergy medications that are safe for babies and toddlers. Several over-the-counter options — including loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra) — are safer for young children.

Which works better, Claritin or zyrtec?

Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) are two popular brands. They contain different compounds but appear to be equally effective. Antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms, such as watering eyes, itchy skin, hives, and swelling.

What is the most safe antihistamine while breastfeeding?

Cold and allergy meds that are safe while breastfeeding include: Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are the recommended antihistamines when breastfeeding. Other antihistamines are also considered safe but do not have as much research to support this. These include Allegra and Xyzal.

Will Zyrtec dry up my milk supply?

High doses of sedating antihistamines have been reported by mothers to decrease milk production, but there is no scientific proof this occurs.

Does Zyrtec decrease milk supply?

High doses of sedating antihistamines have been reported by mothers to decrease milk production, but there is no scientific proof this occurs.

Will Benadryl dry up milk supply?

Remember, there are also many medications that can reduce your milk supply. For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply.

Why is Benadryl not safe for breastfeeding?

Taking Benadryl occasionally during breastfeeding is safe. However, taking Benadryl regularly or in large doses may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. It may also reduce your milk supply. Antihistamines that cause less sleepiness are usually preferred over oral Benadryl while breastfeeding.

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 antihistamines does mother to baby use?

The amount of loratadine in breastmilk is too low to cause problems for most babies. Loratadine is one of the preferred antihistamines for use during breastfeeding because it is less likely to cause drowsiness (sleepiness) for the person who is breastfeeding or the baby than some other antihistamines.

Will Claritin dry up milk supply?

Is It Safe to Take Claritin While Breastfeeding? While regular Claritin is completely fine, taking Claritin-D while breastfeeding may reduce milk supply. Claritin-D contains both loratadine, an antihistamine, and pseudoephedrine sulfate, a nasal decongestant,2 which may reduce milk supply, says Silverman.