Antihistamines safe to take while bf?

[Russki]

I've developed severe itching of late - (useless) dr says it is uticaria, and that there is nothing to be done but take antihistamines. He prescribed me some AHs (mizolastine) but when I got home and read the advice leaflet, it said they must not be taken while breastfeeding.

So i then went to a pharmacy (I live overseas, and it's possible to obtain prescription drugs over the counter) to ask for an alternative, and one that was compatible with BF. The pharmacist gave me Fexodin (fexofenadine HCL), which is i think known as Allegra in the US, but not sure of UK brand name. Websites in the US seem to think the drug is fine while BF, but the UK advice seems to advise against.

Anyway, my question is this: has anyone here been prescribed this while BF, or is able to shed any light on discrepancy between US and UK advice - it's late evening, and i'm itching away, desperate to take something, but obviously keen not to harm my baby in any way.

(I had been taking Benadryl, which worked wonders, but i've run out of it, and it's not available where I currently live.)

TIA

I believe piriton have been prescribed to bf and pregnant women for quite a long time. If you are affected by the drowsiness side effect, I believe the advice is then to use loratadine or citerizine. I'm on my phone atm, so can't link or google easily. If no one answered you when I get to the PC, I'll look up the links for you.

I haven't taken the ones you were given FYI. But have taken all the three I mentioned in the last post.

I noticed that benadryl says seek advice if bf when I was looking for something for itchy eyes. Never heard of the others, sorry.

The Breastfeeding Network has this info: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Antihistamines_and_Breastfeeding_March_2009.pdf If you need to ask a specific question you could always contact Wendy Jones, the specialist pharmacist there: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk.html

The bfn link showtunegirl posted was the one I used.

The problem with antihistamines, afaik, is that some reduce supply. How old is your baby? How is your supply?

Some antihistamines cause drowsiness, and they might cause problems with supply.
I'm currently taking Clarityn, which is non-drowsy and keeping an eye on how much DD seems to be taking. She is 8 months old though, I'd probably just suffer without if still exclusive bf.

thanks for your replies and the links - my baby is six weeks, and so far it (the benadryl) doesn't seem to have affected supply, or at least not significantly so. I'm not sure how i'd tell though - certainly less engorgement than before..