Lemsip max and breastfeeding

[crankyotter]

I took lemsip max this morning without realising it's not meant to be taken while breastfeeding.

Anyone know how long it takes to be be processed by the body so I can feed again?

I think the issue is the decongestant in it which can inhibit milk production. Check with breast feeding network, they are very helpful.

@Strangerthanstrange thanks have now checked there. It says not to take them and mentions potential impact to supply. Can't find any info anywhere of how long to leave system.

It's not about it leaving your system, it's because of it effecting your milk supply, so the best thing to do would be to either feed or pump a lot over the next few days so that you don't lose supply.

I had a horrible head cold days after the birth of my DD. I allowed myself decongestant before bed to help me sleep as I didn't need 2 reasons keeping me awake!
I kept making breast milk just fine and my body doesn't seem particularly great at doing that, so if you're fully established making plenty, you'd probably be fine with a dose a day. I did get some fenugreek tablets to take just in case.

The ingredient in lemsip max that is a problem (wrt breastfeeding) is the phenyephrine. From the breastfeeding network: Phenyephrine has poor bioavailability (not well absorbed from the gut) so it is not likely to produce effects in a breastfed infant with normal doses. Because of pseudoephedrine's effect on milk production, concerns exist that phenylephrine may suppress milk although there is no evidence that this occurs.

You mention you want to wait until it's left your system before you resume breastfeeding. Generally, for most medications the advice is to wait for 5x the half-life of the medication you've taken. The half-life of phenylephrine is 2.5 - 3 hours, so that would be about 15 hours.

Thanks for all the replies.

@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser really interesting about half life - thanks.