Is it safe to use cetirizine while breastfeeding?

There are drugs containing Cetirizine.

Sometimes small amounts of cetirizine are acceptable during breastfeeding.A combination of a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine and larger doses may cause drowsiness and other effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply.International guidelines recommend cetirizine as an acceptable choice if an antihistamine is required during breastfeeding.In cases of persistent pain of the breast, cetirizine has been used.[4]

Cetirizine use by the mother should not pose a risk to the breastfed infant.To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Maternal levels.Three women who were exclusively breastfeeding their infants were taking cetirizine by mouth.Each mother donated milk samples before and after the dose.The peak level of 49 mcg/L happened at an average of 2 hours after the dose.The average milk concentration over the course of 24 hours was 21.2 mcg/L.An exclusively breastfed infant would receive an average of 3.1 mcg/kg daily or a weight-adjusted dosage of 1.77% of the maternal dosage.[5]

1.6% of infants were exposed to various antihistamines and drowsiness in one telephone follow-up study.The reactions did not require medical attention.[5]

A woman who was nursing her baby was treated for pemphigus with oral prednisolone for 2 weeks to 60 days.She was taking both cetirizine and betamethasone twice daily.The betamethasone was changed to clobetasol propionate ointment because of a poor response.At 8 weeks of age, her baby was developing normally and she continued breastfeeding.[6]

A woman with narcolepsy took 4 grams of oxybate each night at 10 pm and 2 am as well as fluoxetine and cetirizine.She breastfed her baby for 4 hours after the 10 pm oxybate and 2 am dose.She pumped her breast milk or fed her baby just before each dose of oxybate.The infant was exclusively breastfed for 6 months.The Ages and Stages Questionnaires were used to evaluate the infant at 2, 4 and 6 months as well as the baby's growth and development.[7]

Three women are taking long-term cetirizine by mouth while breastfeeding their infants.There were no adverse effects in the infants of the mothers.[5]

Antihistamines given by injection can decrease prolactin in nonlactating women.Postpartum mothers' prolactin secretion is not affected by antihistamines.The effects of cetirizine on prolactin have not been studied.The ability of a mother to breastfeed is unaffected by her prolactin level.

Information presented in this database is not a substitute for professional judgement.You should talk to your healthcare provider about breastfeeding advice.The U.S. government is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this site.

To ensure the information on this page applies to your personal circumstances, always consult your healthcare provider.