During lactation, the woman’s immune system works intensely, but, despite this, the infection can still penetrate the body and provoke the development of the inflammatory process. Often the only salvation is antibacterial drugs. However, most women are sure that it is forbidden to take them during lactation. Doctors say the opposite. Let us consider in more detail which antibiotics you can take while breastfeeding without harm to the baby, indications for their appointment and possible negative consequences.
Are antibiotics and lactation compatible?
As you know, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is extremely undesirable for a woman to take potent drugs. It is worth resorting to their use only under certain circumstances, when it is not possible to cope with the disease with more gentle methods. It is extremely important to maintain lactation. But how to do this if, for example, antibiotics were prescribed?
With HB, antibiotic therapy is resorted to in severe cases. You should pay attention to the fact that a specialist can choose the safest drug, which will not have a negative effect on breast milk, and therefore on the baby’s body. If you abandon antibiotic treatment, you can only worsen your health and jeopardize the further possibility of breastfeeding.
What antibiotics are available?
When breastfeeding, a woman can be prescribed antibacterial drugs belonging to the group of macrolides, cephalosporins or penicillins. It is believed that the substances that are part of these drugs penetrate into breast milk in a minimal amount and do not have a serious negative effect on its benefits.
Penicillins are antibacterial medicines that are based on the vital products of a mold. The substances contained in such preparations penetrate into breast milk in small quantities (less than 0.1% of the dose). The penicillin group is the main, if necessary, antibiotic therapy in pregnant and lactating women.
Macrolides, a new generation of antibiotics, are also considered relatively safe drugs that have a bacteriostatic effect. Such antibiotics are often prescribed during lactation, despite the fact that they penetrate the baby's body along with breast milk. Macrolides do not have a negative effect on the child's body.
Cephalosporin group antibiotics are non-toxic and safe. These drugs are practically devoid of side effects. The only drawback is the possibility of developing dysbiosis in the crumbs. With long-term use of cephalosporins, there is a risk of reducing the production of vitamin K.
Antibiotics that are allowed during breastfeeding, a woman can take only after the appointment of a specialist. The duration of treatment in such cases will be minimal. It is important not to interrupt the therapeutic course to achieve a positive treatment result.
Prohibited Drugs
Antibiotics can fight the most serious diseases caused by infection. Thanks to these drugs, recovery occurs in a matter of days. However, doctors warn that potent drugs are far from always compatible with breastfeeding. The following antibacterial drugs are highly toxic:
- tetracyclines;
- fluoroquinols;
- aminiglycosides;
- sulfonamides;
- lincosamides.
These groups of drugs are prohibited and cannot be used to treat women during lactation. Getting into breast milk, and then into the baby’s body, such drugs can cause irreversible effects. The doctor must inform which antibiotics can be used during breastfeeding and how to take them correctly during this period. If it is necessary to take drugs related to prohibited, it is worth temporarily stop lactation. Self-medication during lactation is extremely dangerous not only for mom, but also for the baby.
When are antibiotics prescribed?
Even before the first signs of a cold appear, the body of a nursing woman begins to produce antibodies, which, together with milk, get to the baby and begin to protect it from infection. Meanwhile, Mom’s disease is only beginning to progress.
Angina, sinusitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis are ailments that are often diagnosed in nursing mothers. To cope with such diseases without potent drugs is almost impossible. Overcome staphylococci, streptococci and other pathogenic pathogens only antibiotics will help.
The drugs approved for breastfeeding do not harm the baby at all. However, a woman will need to carefully follow the instructions of a specialist and take the medicine strictly according to the scheme, without exceeding the dosage.
The drug "Amoxicillin"
The level of penetration into breast milk is the main criterion that you should pay attention to when choosing an antibiotic for a nursing woman. Penicillins, according to studies, have a low rate, so they are prescribed to women during lactation most often. One of the representatives of this group of antibiotics is Amoxicillin.
With breastfeeding prescribed for the treatment of diseases of an infectious nature. "Amoxicillin" refers to semi-synthetic third-generation antibacterial agents. The medication has a bactericidal effect, that is, it destroys the cell walls of pathogenic microorganisms. Sensitivity to the active substance is manifested by streptococci, staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Klebsiella.
The drug is available in the form of capsules and powder for the preparation of a suspension. The dosage of Amoxicillin will depend on the diagnosis made to the patient.
Indications for appointment
Can I take antibiotics while breastfeeding? Experts give an affirmative answer to this question and select the optimal drug for the treatment of the patient. Often their choice falls on the Amoxicillin remedy. This is a relatively safe medication that has no toxic effects on the baby's body.
Doctors may prescribe Amoxicillin for breastfeeding to treat diseases such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, cystitis, gonorrhea, pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, dysentery, and leptospirosis, provided that they are caused by microorganisms sensitive to the drug.
How to take with lactation?
According to the instructions, the drug can be taken if its benefit to a nursing woman significantly exceeds the risk of developing negative consequences for the child. Experts say that the drug does not pose a danger to the crumbs. However, without prior consultation with your doctor, taking it is still not recommended.
The substances that make up the antibiotic penetrate into breast milk in a minimal amount. Therefore, the risk of a baby having side effects still exists. To avoid this, the doctor selects the optimal dosage regimen and determines the duration of treatment.
Antibiotics for nursing mothers will only benefit if all the doctor's recommendations are followed. If necessary, a woman can temporarily stop feeding and express breast milk to maintain lactation, which can be continued immediately after the end of therapy.
Is it possible to take Flemoxin Solutab during lactation?
The penicillin drug Flemoxin Solutab refers to semi-synthetic antibiotics. The main active ingredient is amoxicillin (125, 250,500 and 1000 mg). The drug has a wide range of therapeutic effects and has bactericidal properties. The tablets are dispersible (intended for dissolution in water).
The drug "Flemoxin Solutab" can be prescribed for colds to a nursing mother if the causative agent of the disease is bacteria that are sensitive to the active substance. It should be noted that this antibiotic is also often used in pediatric practice. The drug is considered one of the safest antibacterial agents and practically does not cause side effects.
Application features
The dosage of the tablets will depend on the patient's condition. The duration of treatment is 5-7 days. Like other antibiotics, it is recommended to take Flemoxin Solutab in combination with drugs that help restore intestinal microflora. This will help reduce the risk of dysbiosis not only in a nursing mother, but also in the baby.
Contraindications
An antibacterial agent is not prescribed in the presence of the following ailments:
- intolerance to penicillin and its derivatives;
- ulcerative colitis;
- severe violations of the liver and kidneys;
- lymphocytic leukemia;
- acute intestinal infections;
- Infectious mononucleosis.
"Azithromycin" in lactation
Macrolides are among the most effective antibiotics and, despite the fact that their concentration in breast milk can sometimes be higher than that of other drugs, they do not have a negative effect on the baby's body. The drug "Azithromycin" belongs to the group of azalides.
This is a new category of macrolides of the latest generation. These antibiotics for lactation are allowed to be prescribed in cases of infectious damage to the respiratory system, urogenital and digestive systems, infection of the skin.
Side effects
Antibacterial drugs from the macrolide group are usually well tolerated and do not provoke the development of side effects. The manufacturer informs that the drug can still cause a number of negative consequences of antibiotic therapy: dysbiosis, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence. There are also rare cases of an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash, itching.
Breastfeeding Antibiotics: Consequences of Treatment
Many mothers who have been prescribed treatment with antibacterial drugs stop feeding the baby. In fact, this is not necessary at all. When taking certain medications, lactation can be maintained and not deprive the baby of a valuable product. What antibiotics can be taken with breastfeeding without consequences for the baby's health? Safe are those medications that have been prescribed by a specialist. The doctor should immediately notify about feeding the baby.
Proper antibiotic therapy with lactation practically does not cause negative consequences. To reduce the negative impact of such treatment, women are advised to take drugs while feeding the baby or immediately after it. This will avoid getting into the milk a high concentration of substances that are part of the antibiotic.