Is it safe to use Zovirax while BF???????

[chilledmama]

Cold sore this morning...is it safe to use the anti-viral creams??

I did, so hope so!

From what Ive seen online it says consult your doctor!

I personally cant see the harm, but dont take my word on that.

I treied the zovirax product information webpage but only mentioned while pg not BF...

Cantsleep-I take it you had no adverse reactions...loss of supply anything like that???

God I would as it is topical application....I wouldn't have thought to think about such a small topical application....doesn't mean it is right tho...

I used it on my shingles when I was BF. I was also taking an anti-viral orally. I checked with the Drugs in Breastfeeding helpline who are fantastic and really helpful. I am sure it was OK to BF as I used the cream for ages, but I did stop feeding for a week as my blood pressure went sky high and the medication I had for that meant I couldn't feed. So maybe check for yourself to be sure, but I know I used the cream for more than a week and I went back to feeding after the week. BF Network

Sorry, meant to say if what you are taking isn't on the web site (I cant see it looking quickly) then phone the number. They always ring you back. They went to so much trouble for me with regard to blood pressure medication. Even offering to ring my consultant to speak to him to make sure the drugs I had to control it were OK. Luckily my consultant was also very good and BP came down with medication that I could also feed with.

chilled - try www.kellymom.com - it has a list of meds. that are safe by category.

look at "is this safe ?" heading on the
left hand side of the home page.

if you can't find it under that name it will because it has a different name in the US. try finding what it is called in the US by googling and then look at the list again.

i will look for you too when i have a minute.

ok, luckily it is listed under that name, the AAP gives it an "L2" category (which means it is not the safest - the safest would be L1) - L2 means it is safer - so i wouldn't worry using it as it is still in the safe category for bf !

From KellyMom...

"Acyclovir (Zovirax) is AAP approved for nursing moms. Hale ("Medications and Mother's Milk" 2002 ed.) lists it as L2 (safer) for nursing moms. Acyclovir is used directly in newborns"

Acyclovir can also be taken orally, where the risks of it passing into milk are obviously higher. If it is safe to take orally, I wouldn't hesitate to use a tiny amount topically on a coldsore

Thankyou everyone...always best to be on the safe side when BF. I didn't think there would be any problems but had to make sure...didn't stop my using it this morning I have to say!! I went on the basis that if I find out later then will stop using it but a little couldn't do much harm.

Thank you all