From the Guidelines
Allertec (cetirizine) is generally considered safe to take while breastfeeding. The amount of cetirizine that passes into breast milk is minimal, with estimates suggesting that a breastfed infant would receive less than 1% of the maternal dose adjusted for weight 1. If you need to take an antihistamine while breastfeeding, cetirizine is often preferred over older antihistamines because it causes less drowsiness and has minimal effects on milk production.
Key Considerations
- The standard adult dose is 10 mg once daily.
- While using Allertec, monitor your baby for unusual drowsiness, irritability, or decreased feeding.
- If you notice any concerning symptoms in your baby, contact your healthcare provider.
- It's always best to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any medication while breastfeeding, as they can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and your baby's health status.
Safety Evaluation
The relative infant dose is a valuable guide to the safety of a drug taken by a breastfeeding woman, with a drug having a proportion < 10% considered the preferred option 1.
Monitoring and Precautions
Some key points to consider when taking Allertec while breastfeeding include:
- Monitoring your baby for any signs of unusual drowsiness, irritability, or decreased feeding.
- Contacting your healthcare provider if you notice any concerning symptoms in your baby.
- Consulting with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any medication while breastfeeding to get personalized advice based on your specific situation and your baby's health status.
From the Research
Allertec and Breastfeeding
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies regarding the safety of taking Allertec while breastfeeding.
- However, some studies discuss the safety of antihistamines during breastfeeding. For example, fexofenadine, an antihistamine, is mentioned in study 2 as being well-tolerated in clinical trials, but its safety during breastfeeding is not explicitly discussed.
- Studies 3 and 4 provide general information about breastfeeding and its benefits, but do not mention specific medications like Allertec.
- Study 5 compares the efficacy and safety of second-generation antihistamines, including fexofenadine, but does not address their use during breastfeeding.
- Study 6 highlights the benefits of breastfeeding, but does not discuss the safety of taking specific medications, including Allertec, during breastfeeding.
Antihistamines and Breastfeeding
- While there is no direct information on Allertec, some antihistamines are considered safer than others during breastfeeding. However, this information is not provided in the given studies.
- It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on taking medications, including Allertec, while breastfeeding, as they can provide guidance based on the latest research and the individual's specific situation, as mentioned in studies 3 and 4.