I have a bad case of strep throat, and at the urgent care the md prescribed Zithromax (azithromycin) for me. I have many allergies (bactrim ds, amoxil, keflex, augmentin,macrobid) so there are not many other options for me.
He said that there had been no/little research done on breastfed infants, so he did not advise me to nurse while taking the medication. He said, " it is probably ok- but I would stop nursing for 7-10 days". He was obviously having me 'read between the lines', and just didn't want to be held liable if something were to go wrong with the baby. I have taken this drug with all 3 of my pregnancies with no problem, but never while nursing.
I went online, to Lactmed.com, and other sites and all seemed favorable to continue nursing. I just wanted to hear if any other nursing mommies have use this drug and their experience.
I obviously will not/cannot stop nursing DS- he is fed exclusivly breastmilk and unfortunatly I have not stored up enough for a 10 day hiatus. Thanks in advance!
Thank you to all who responded! I am on day 3 of my antibiotic. I am still nursing as usual and baby seems fine. I appreciate the time you all took to help reasure me and sharing your experiences!
Hi D.. You can go to safefetus.com and enter the drug name and it will give you the pregnancy and breastfeeding safety rating. You also need to be careful of homeopathic remedies as well as conventional medicines as they don't have the research and stringent regulation that conventional medicines do. Just something to keep in mind. Hope you're feeling well soon.
Hi D.,
I used Zithromax while breastfeeding my son for a sinus infection. My OBGYN said it is the only antibiotic that is safe to take while breastfeeding. I wouldn't worry.
Hope you get better!
E.
Hey D.,
My daughter took it while nursing, no problems at all. Nursing is always the best. Hope you feel better,
V.
my OB and ped both said taking the Zpack while nursing was fine. if you want more assurance, just ask them or your local pharmacist. hope you feel better, strep is not fun!!
I just finished a course with that antibiotic and I am still breastfeeding. I try not to take antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary, but I had a sinus and throat infection that lasted 3 weeks and just wasn't letting up. Anyway, the studies I know about said that some young infants had tummy problems when their mother's took Zithromax. My daughter didn't seem to have any problems with it. Be sure to take probiotics while you take the drug to prevent secondary yeast infection. Feel better!
I took it a number of times while breastfeeding my son - with no problems.
I am a mom of 2 my little one is 18 months and i am still breast feeding him. About 6 months ago my son had a really bad ear infection that would not go away, the doctor kept perscribing different antibiotics that would not help him at all. Finally I told her that she need to give him something stronger because his ear infection was going on too long. She perscribed Zithromax for him and his ear infection was healed after a couple of days. I have never taken zithromax while breast feeding but my sons doctor gave it to him when he was only a year old i hope this helps.
I don't remember the kind, but I have taken antibiotics while nursing my daughter. It may have been zithromax. Also, I am not familiar with lactmed.com, but often refer to Kellymom.com for info on medication compatibility with breast feeding.
Hi D.- I took this too when I got mastitis (sp?) with my son (a couple times :( ) and once with my daughter (secondary infection after a cold virus). The kids did just fine & I continued nursing the entire time. :) My OB gave it to me. You can also check with the baby's doctor as they should have a list of meds that are OK to take while nursing. Good luck & hope you feel better soon. :)
I have a bad case of bronchitis now myself and I just did a ton of research online about this myself. I personally feel confident taking it while nursing. Hope you feel better soon!
Hi D. :)
I had mastitis twice and was prescribed Zythromax (Z-Pack)by my OB/GYN numerous times. I was nursing all the way through, no problems for me or my children. I would suggest continuing breastfeeding because if you stop for 7-10 days, your baby might think he/she is not taking your breast anymore and that is a harsh way to ween a child especially when that is not your intention. This doctor was simply scared to tell you it's okay because he doesn't know. Just continue feeding and taking your meds; everything will be fine!
Le Leche League website has a lot of info about this. They basically say that almost ALL meds are fine. By the time they are filtered through you, very LITTLE is in your milk. YOUR milk is made for YOUR baby and whatever bit of med they get breastmilk benefits still far out weigh you switching to formula........... Did you have an epidural? That narcodic went into your milk too...
I have a great book called The Nursing Mother's Companion. In the back it has a whole section on drugs and their safety. It said that this particular drug is generally safe. It did say to look out for jaundice which can be a rare side-effect for your baby.
There are very few drugs that require you to stop breast feeding.
kellymom.com is a great website too. If you type in the drug name it will pull up a page with tons of info.
Hope you get better
Ask a lactation consultant or an OB or a midwife! Your normal doc probably doesn't have current information regarding breastfeeding and medications. Also, check out Kellymom.com. They have tons of information on meds for BF.
Not treating Strep Throat can lead to more serious problems. Strep is also very contagious. How old is your baby? Zithromax is prescribed for infants, so I think it would be ok to still nurse while on it. Just keep an eye on your son to make sure he isn't allergic or anything.
call the pharmacy you should always use the same one
Zithromax has quite a bit of research for preg/nursing since it is also indicated for std's and was given to women when the benefits outweighed the risks - they were able to get lots of data from that experience....look up zithromax online or call Pfizer and they can tell you exactly what you need to know to make an informed decision about what is best for you.
don't take it! Please, consider safer alternatives. here is a list of homeopathic practitioners in CA, there got to be at least one close to you! even if not, it is worth travelling for.
Mary Jo Aloi
DHom(UK) PCH
246 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95030
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Web: www.maryjoaloi.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
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William P Altmiller DNBHE
PharmD FACA FACAVP RPh
IHHS Health & Wellness Center
1607 South H St, Bakersfield, CA 93304
###-###-####
Web: www.yourhomeopath.net
E-mail: ____@____.com
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Lynn Amara CCH RSHom(NA)
9700 Fair Oaks Blvd #K, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
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Web: www.betterhomeopathics.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
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David John Anderson DHt
MD ABNP
30 5th St #150, Petaluma, CA 94952-3042
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Web: www.davidjohnandersonmd.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
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Tanya Baldwin
ND
Naturopathic Insights
777 Knowles Dr Ste 6B, Los Gatos, CA 95032-1417
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Web: www.naturopathicinsights.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
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Julie Bernard
Julie Bernard, Classical Homeopathy
591 Spruce St, San Francisco, CA 94118
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E-mail: ____@____.com
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Meenakshi Bhargava
PhD GCEH DipNIH C-Yoga MA
15750 Winchester Blvd #206, Los Gatos, CA 95030
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Web: www.homeopathicdoctor.net
E-mail: ____@____.com
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Will Cassilly CCH RSHom
MA MEd
Santa Cruz Homeopathy
1000 Pau Hana Dr, Soquel, CA 95073
###-###-####
Web: www.santacruzhomeopathy.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
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John C Cassone
MS CNC
Cassone Wellness
28475 Old Town Front St Ste G, Temecula, CA 92590
###-###-####
Web: www.temeculahomeopathy.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
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Trevor Holly Cates
ND
Santa Barbara Center for Natural Medicine
34 E Sola St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
###-###-####
Web: www.sbcnm.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
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Stephanie A Chalmers CVH
DVM DipACVD
Holistic Animal Care
4918A Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95409-4241
###-###-####
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Peggy Chipkin CCH RSHom(NA)
FNP
Hahnemann Medical Clinic
158 E Blithedale Ave Ste F, Mill Valley, CA 94941
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E-mail: ____@____.com
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Christine Ciavarella
PA-C
Hahnemann Medical Clinic
221 Plaza Professional Bldg, El Cerrito, CA 94530-4006
###-###-####
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Karen Cohen CCH
DC
1709 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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Web: www.homeopathways.com
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Avghi Constantinides
DHom HMC MA
Centre For Life
13323 W Washington Blvd Ste 202, Los Angeles, CA 90066
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Web: www.lahomeopathicschool.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
