Given medicine which is not recommended when breastfeeding!!

[jaabaar]

Hi,

I just found out now that I have been given medicines which I just NOW found out from the leaflet are not recommended when breastfeeding!

I am so upset about it as I was not informed of this in the hospital and could not take my own decision if i want to take them or not!

The medicine is Diclofenac Sodium 50mg. I have immediatly stoped taking the medicine.

I strongly believe that I should have been given the choice to take it or NOT take it.

Does anyone know if I should have been informed of this BEFORE they gave me the medicine???

Very upset as throughout my pregnancy I have been extremely careful in what medicines etc I take or dont take.

Thanks for your opinions.

G

You could always call Wendy on the BfN drugs and medicines helpline. She's lovely and if she's not there straight away, she'll call you back as soon as she can.

Hiya
I was also given this by the hospital after labour, was breastfeeding and was unaware that it's not recommended. I discovered this when reading the leaflet that comes with the medication, pretty much at the end of the course of medication. Hasn't had any bad effect on DS as far as I am aware.

Found this on babyworld website:

Can I take diclofenac while breast feeding?
Diclofenac is what is known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These drugs are not contra-indicated while breastfeeding. Small amounts of diclofenac do pass into the breastmilk but these amounts are considered to be too small to be harmful. As it is not proven to be 100 per cent safe, most experts would say that it should only be taken if absolutely necessary. If simple analgesia such as paracetamol is sufficient to control your symptoms, then this would be preferable, but if this is not the case then it is OK to continue to use diclofenac.

I've been given Diclofenac after my C-Section, and the prescribing doctor and the nurses who handed it out to me were very much aware I was breastfeeding. Also, from a quick google I can't find anything telling me that it is counter-indicated

www.babyworld.co.uk/individualfaq.asp?Section=Your+Baby+0-2&query=feedin g&opt=&page=&question=2976

drugsafetysite.com/diclofenac/

Is it just a simple pain killer/anti inflamatory medicine?

Thanks for above info!!

It's an anti-inflammatory, I was given it after a bad tear, I'm pretty sure it is the standard ant-inflammatory to give breast-feeding mothers as we can't have asprin (or ibuprofen when the baby is young iirc).

A lot of the time drugs are listed as 'not recommended during breastfeeding', but this is often because they have not been specifically medically trialled on breast-feeding women rather than because there is a problem. I suspect diclofenac is one of these, but afaik it is routinely accepted and prescribed during breastfeeding.

Please don't worry about it, I think being in uncontrolled pain could make it very hard to establish breast-feeding, so I feel confident I did the right thing in taking it and wouldn't hesitate to take it again if necessary.

it's fine, it;s one of thiose things that say "ask a doctor" before taking it. but really it's ok to take
they wouldn't have prescribed it if it wasn't safe

I had a c-section and I am also taking another painkiller(co-dydramol) which controls my pain quite effectively. Therefore if it is only for the pain I can easily leave it out. Leavlet clealy says that if you are breastfeeding you should not take it. However as you mention I suppose that is stated as it might not have been tested.

Still I do believe that everyone should have a choice and be made aware of these things BEFORE a medicine is given. The choice should be given to the person taking the medicines.

I was prescribed it after an em cs. I didn't take it because I didn't need it, but they knew I was bfing and assured me it was the normal prescribed anti-inflammatory for bfing mothers post-birth.

Just want to add my voice to say, it's fine: had it after CS, also v commonly used for treatment of blocked ducts/mastitis in BFing women (as I know at my cost...).
It is not contraindicated when BFing - like literally all other medication should only be taken when necessary when BFing; kind of obvious, I know . A lot of what is being said in patient information leaflets is all about drug companies covering their backsides IYKWIM...
Whether you should have been told about it before starte, that's another question .

I have been having so many problems since leaving hospital regarding high blood pressure, chest pains, dizziness etc.
After doctor ordered that I be rushed to hospital by ambulance due to suspected blood cloth it turned out that all was ok (many test done..).

Now reading this leavlet I find that all the symptoms I have are listed as side effects.
None bothered to question if this might be the problem.

I will just not take it anymore and discuss it tomorrow with midwife.

Thanks again.

I would like to reiterate what pushmepullyou said, it is impossible to ethically do a trial of any drug on breastfeeding mothers, I'm sure you understand why. This means that drugs cannot be licensed for use, hence the leaflet saying not to use while bf. However this does not mean that it will hurt the baby.

This indicates that diclofenac does not pass into breastmilk, it is NHS so reliable and I hope it makes you feel better.

Thinkgamajig
thanks for that info! It seems to contradict what is in the leaflet, but I do feel better about it

Thanks for providing the info which i much appreciae...

G