What Medications Should Not Be Taken During a Cold While Breastfeeding?
Mar 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, medications such as ribavirin tablets, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, chloramphenicol tablets, tetracycline tablets, and amantadine hydrochloride granules should not be taken during lactation. If a nursing mother requires medication for treating a cold, it is recommended to consult a physician to ensure the selection of safe and effective drugs and to follow the doctor's instructions for medication use.
Generally, during lactation, women should avoid taking medications such as ribavirin tablets, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, chloramphenicol tablets, tetracycline tablets, and amantadine hydrochloride granules. Details are as follows:
1. Ribavirin Tablets
Ribavirin tablets are antiviral drugs that interfere with the viral replication process, thereby inhibiting virus proliferation. It may have adverse effects on infants through breast milk, and its safety during lactation has not been fully confirmed.
2. Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets
Aspirin enteric-coated tablets are antipyretic and analgesic drugs that reduce fever and relieve pain by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and decreasing prostaglandin synthesis. It may be transferred to infants through breast milk and cause damage to their liver and kidney functions, particularly requiring caution in patients with gastric ulcers.
3. Chloramphenicol Tablets
Chloramphenicol tablets are broad-spectrum antibiotics effective against many types of bacteria. It can easily pass into infants through breast milk, potentially causing infant toxicity, bone marrow suppression, and even severe gray baby syndrome.
4. Tetracycline Tablets
Tetracycline tablets are lipid-soluble antibiotics that readily enter breast milk. They may cause dental damage in infants, defective enamel development, permanent tooth discoloration, and may also cause jaundice in infants.
5. Amantadine Hydrochloride Granules
Amantadine hydrochloride granules contain antiviral components commonly used to treat colds. It may affect infant health through breast milk, such as causing infant excitability, restlessness, or affecting liver and kidney functions.
If lactating women require medication for treating a cold, it is recommended to consult a doctor to ensure the selection of safe and effective drugs and follow the doctor's instructions for medication. Additionally, lactating women can alleviate cold symptoms and promote recovery by drinking more water, getting sufficient rest, and other similar measures.
