genfura nitrofurantoin for UTI while breastfeeding... panicked mum

[R3b3kah]

Good evening

I went to my GP yesterday with a sample as I had suspected a UTI, test was positive with blood in my urine.
She gave me a course of anti biotics to take, didn’t pick them up lastnight so would go get them today... woke up this morning with pain in my back/right side area, after a little google it sounds like a kidney infection.
OH been at work all day and I was so worn out I didn’t manage to get to clinic drop in.

Now I’m hugely regretting it because i stupidly forgot to ask if I can take them and now I’m too scared to take the tablets, in case it gets into my milk.

Looked on NHS website and a few more which say it’s not normally harmful but a bit can get into my milk

I didn’t know where else to post this where I could get quick replies... I hope someone can advise (of course not doctors advise) but if anyone has took these while breastfeeding?

Thank you

I took nitrofurantoin for a UTI while I was breastfeeding, OP. Was the doctor not aware you were breastfeeding then? It's normally something they ask...

Thank you for replying, I had him in my arms I can not believe I didn’t even mention it, so worrying how I could have forgotten something so important I feel awful because my 12 month old should have been priority when I’ve been told I need tablets

I’ve took 1 tablet so far and I’m scared to sleep in case I shouldn’t be feeding him while I take them.

The pharmacist gave me the box of tablets with no leaflet, so unable to check that it

Can you call nhs direct and ask if they are suitable while breastfeeding

I've taken it while breastfeeding too more than once. It was a while ago so the guidelines may have changed but it was thought to be fine then.

There is a website that lists medication while breastfeeding, I'll try and link it.

Don't feel bad, OP, the GP should really have asked if you were still breastfeeding!

Hello,
This is from the breastfeeding network - a source by Wendy Jones, a pharmacist who has been awarded an MBE for her work on drugs and breastfeeding. Her work is very well-respected.

breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/antibiotics%20and%20breastfeeding.pdf

www.nhs.uk/medicines/nitrofurantoin/And from the NHS: “breastfeeding can be taken by adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women”

@OhNoGroken I was about to post the same link. This resource is used widely in the uk for breastfeeding and medicines advice OP.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/nitrofurantoin/

Oops missed a space:

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/nitrofurantoin.html

This is the British National Formulary - doctors use it to look up drugs and interactions. Unfortunately it says "avoid" for breastfeeding - there's a special section on the page.

If you're feeling unwell I would contact 111 and try and get an emergency prescription. I hope you get well soon xxx

Looking again it is only "avoid" for g6dp affected infants and I would go with that nhs page linked above that specifically states it is safe in breastfeeding! Xxx

Thankyou all so much for the replies I looked at the links, looks like it shouldn’t cause any harm?

I’m going to go out of hours tomorrow if I’m not better