Anyone been prescribed Stemetil whilst BFing?

[LardyMardyDaisyBoo]

I've just been prescribed Stemetil by my GP for vertigo/nausea stemming from a fluid build up in my inner ear. He said that although it isn't indicated in BFing, it only gets through into breastmilk in small doses. He suggested that I "stop BFing for a week" whilst on the tablets if I'm worried.

I've googled the drugs since getting home and everything I read says do not use whilst BFing.

I'm now worried about taking them, but I'm in a lot of discomfort. I'm also not sure that I'll be able to express enough milk for a week to keep my supply up. DD is nearly 9mo if this makes a difference.

Has anyone had any experience of this drug?

TIA

You might have more luck googling for its generic name prochlorperazine....

I've found these links that you might find useful:
66.230.33.248/discus/messages/53/56501.html
66.230.33.248/discus/messages/53/17416.html
www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002456.html

TBH though googling is never very effective imo in getting a truly informed decision about medications. The best source I have used is Hale's book on medications and breastfeeding. Most BFCs should have access to a copy & would be more than happy to read out the relevant section to you over the phone. Any of the BFing helplines will do for this, or a local BFC/LLL leader. The BfN drugline is worth trying as well.

Personally I would be very at a GP who said I should just give up for a week...shows a complete lack of understanding about bfing imo. TBH I would go back & either for some proper information (if you can't find any yourself via a BFC) or an alternative treatment.

Toxnet is a good site

toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~3T3Ovg:1

Your doctor knows very little about bf, as terramum says - what a daft comment about stopping bf for a week

oh, thanks for your respinses

I'm off to check those out now, and I'll give the BFing helplines a try later.

Thanks

Hi

I took stemetil (also known by many other names) in all four pregnancies for severe nausea, it has never caused any problems for me.

there's a link to aite that refers to this- will be back in a mo

look on the drug info pages

it's specifically a site for PG women and is very reputable and checked by Obstetricians (I know, used to help out there)

Possible Effects on Lactation:
Galactorrhea has been reported with prochlorperazine.[1] Hyperprolactinemia appears to be the cause of the galactorrhea.[2][3][4] The hyperprolactinemia is caused by the drug's dopamine-blocking action in the tuberoinfundibular pathway.[5]

Can anyone help translate? Is galactorreah over or under production?

I'm slightly concerned as well about the reference to possible apnea in the infant.

Maybe this is something I'll just need to grin and bear whilst I'm breastfeeding. He said that if it's labyrinthitis that is causing the build up it should clear up by itself, but there is a possibility that it is Meniere's disease and I'm stuck with it

He gave me no indication of how he would determine this either, just gave me the pills and told me to come back in a week. Fortunately, I've managed to get that appointment with a different GP in the practice, as the one I saw yesterday isn't the greatest "people person".

When he prescribed me ABs for mastitis a few months ago, I told him I was worried about thrush, as I'd already had one bout of it. He said he'd give me a prescription and I assumed it would be for oral fluconazole as this was on my notes already. I didn't really look at the script, and when I collected the prescription, it was a vaginal pessary and cream

thanks peachy

I would call the association for breastfeeding mothers helpline and ask them for their recommendations- they're brilliant for this sort of stuff ime.

Peachy - sorry to correct...but just because something is suitable for use in pregnancy doesn't mean it's automatically safe for use whilst bfing (& vice versa)...having a placenta involved does change things somewhat

That's why I suggested the ABM

Definitions of Galactorrhea

I'll call the ABM later. thanks very much

Hi! I know this is an old thread but did you end up finding and alternative and did this clear up? I’m going through a similar thing and would love to know. Thanks