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Suggest Medication For Headaches And Congestion For A Lactating Mother

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Posted on Wed, 19 Oct 2016
Question: Hello, I am currently breastfeeding and am suffering from head congestion, running nose(green), and some drainage. what is safe from over the counter? baby is now 4months if you needed to know. thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
avoid using drugs...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I'm starting with an advice first... You can use paracetamol (acetaminophen) for headache, body aches, etc if you have any. Avoid using drugs that contain antihistamines and decongenstants. Wear a mask when getting close to the baby and remember to wash your hands all the time. Let fresh air come into the room. If you transmit the infection to your baby, it will be a huge trouble for it, no matter how mild the infection was to you.

Now let me get to the facts. Antihistamines like chlorpheniramine may reduce the annoyance of running nose. Decongestants will let more air pass through the nostrils. None of them will likely affect the baby unless taken at high doses and/or for too long. Some effects may occur though. Both the decongestant and the antihistamine may reduce mild production. If you have problem with that, then this is another argument against taking drugs.

If you decide to take drugs to relieve your symptoms then prefer to take them in low doses and preferably right after you've put your precious one for its night sleep (provided that you don't breastfeed it all night - every 3-4 hours for example). This way you'll give some time to your body to reduce the effective levels of the drugs before breastfeeding again.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3810 Questions

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Suggest Medication For Headaches And Congestion For A Lactating Mother

Brief Answer: avoid using drugs... Detailed Answer: Hello, I'm starting with an advice first... You can use paracetamol (acetaminophen) for headache, body aches, etc if you have any. Avoid using drugs that contain antihistamines and decongenstants. Wear a mask when getting close to the baby and remember to wash your hands all the time. Let fresh air come into the room. If you transmit the infection to your baby, it will be a huge trouble for it, no matter how mild the infection was to you. Now let me get to the facts. Antihistamines like chlorpheniramine may reduce the annoyance of running nose. Decongestants will let more air pass through the nostrils. None of them will likely affect the baby unless taken at high doses and/or for too long. Some effects may occur though. Both the decongestant and the antihistamine may reduce mild production. If you have problem with that, then this is another argument against taking drugs. If you decide to take drugs to relieve your symptoms then prefer to take them in low doses and preferably right after you've put your precious one for its night sleep (provided that you don't breastfeed it all night - every 3-4 hours for example). This way you'll give some time to your body to reduce the effective levels of the drugs before breastfeeding again. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!