Cold and Allergy Medicine
Information from A Medication Guide for Breastfeeding Moms by Thomas Hale, Ph.D.
Probably Safe Brands:
- Claritin
- Allegra
- Alka Seltzer Plus cold and sinus tablets
- Cheracol D Cough formula syrup
- Cheracol Plus liquid
- Robitussin cough and congestion formula liquid
- Robitussin sugar free cough liquid
- Robitussin DM liquid
- Tylenol sinus severe congestion tablets
- Vicks 44 E cough & chest congestion relief
Probably Safe Ingredients:
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
- Phenylephrine
- Guafenesin
- Dextromethorphan
- Loratidine
- Fexofenadine
Ingredients that can have Undesirable Side Effects:
- Pseudoephedrine, while safe for infants, lowers prolactin levels and thus can reduce milk supply
- Diphenhydramine—observe for infant sedation and there are reports of reduced milk supply
Unsafe Brands:
- Primatene tablets
- Prometh VC with codeine cough syrup
- Tavist allergy/sinus/headache tablets
Unsafe Ingredients:
- Ephedrine
- Promethazine and codeine together
- Clemastine