Breastfeeding: can I take anti-histamines?

[saladspinner]

Are there any pharmacists/docs/people in the know out there? Hayfever has struck and I would like to take piriton (which I took occasionally when I was pregnant under GP advice). Am assuming therefore that it is ok to take when bf but packet says on advice (don't fancy waisting precious GP time...). Thank you

Here you go :)

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Antihistamines_and_Breastfeeding_March_2009.pdf

I asked my GP when I was last there and she said yes to the ones I usually take (desloratidine or neoclarityn). I think you just have to be careful with ones that cause drowsiness as some of it will pass through your milk. If you google breastfeeding network they have a drug information sheet which shoulg help. The drug companies haven't tested the drugs with breastfeeding hence the warning but doesn't mean they aren't safe.

GP may not know as it happens, anyway. You can call the breastfeeding network's drugs line to talk through things if you're not sure after reading the leaflet. It's run by pharmacists (therefore drug specialists rather than GPs who really have to go by the manufacturer's recommendations as they deal with so many different drugs) who specialise in working out how different drugs get into breastmilk.

Thanks guys. Organic, that's a great site and I wish I'd found it earlier (ds 12 months now) . Thanks

It's really useful :) Glad to have been able to share it. One point to note is that the Breastfeeding Network is a charity so if you are able to join it will help them to continue the service :) The ladies who run the helpline are volunteers but it's takes up loads of time. Wendy Jones, who is one of them, is very active in supporting www.ukamb.org (UK Association for Milk Banking) and works out what drugs are safe for mums to take when donating milk. She's fab :)