Home
> Is This Safe When Breastfeeding?
> Medications
Laxatives and Breastfeeding
| Info
on selected laxatives |
Most laxatives, particularly dietary fiber/bulk forming laxatives
and stool softeners, are considered compatible with breastfeeding.
The stimulant laxatives are more likely to be of concern, and should
never be used long-term (whether you are breastfeeding or not).
Drug-free alternatives for treating constipation include:
- Eat a high fiber diet - whole grains, 5+ servings of fruit/vegetables
each day
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Don’t put off the "urge" to go
The information summarized below is only a general overview. For
detailed information on the specific drugs, please review the references
listed below with your health care provider.
In most cases, the brand names of drugs are not listed here since
there are many brand names and many products contain two or more
active ingredients; generic names are listed in alphabetical order
- check your product information for the names of the active ingredients.
Dietary
Fiber / Bulk Forming Laxatives |
| This type of laxative is not absorbed via
the GI tract and thus should not pose a problem for breastfeeding
mothers. Thus far none have been reviewed specifically by the
AAP or "Medications and Mothers' Milk." |
| Name |
| Fructan |
| Fruits & vegetables, prunes, prune juice |
| Malt Soup Extract (Maltsupex) |
| Psyllium
seed, Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid |
| Synthetic dietary fibers - methylcellulose,
cellulose, polycarbophil, calcium polycarbophil, carboxymethylcellulose |
| Wheat or oat bran, flaxseed |
Hyperosmotic
Saline Laxatives |
| Poorly absorbed from the GI tract.
Not recommended during pregnancy. |
| Name of medication |
AAP approved?* |
Lactation
Risk Category** |
| Magnesium Citrate |
not reviewed |
see Magnesium Sulfate |
Magnesium Hydroxide
(milk of magnesia) |
not reviewed |
L1 (safest) |
| Magnesium Oxide |
not reviewed |
see Magnesium Hydroxide |
Magnesium Sulfate
(epsom salt) |
yes |
L1 (safest) |
| Sodium Phosphate |
not reviewed |
not reviewed |
* Per the AAP Policy
Statement The
Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk,
revised September 2001.
** Per Medications'
and Mothers' Milk by Thomas Hale, PhD (2002 edition) |
Stimulant
/ Irritant Laxatives |
| This type of laxative is not safe
for long-term use, as long-term use can cause permanent damage
to the colon. Avoid using for more than 10 consecutive days.
This is the type of laxative most likely to be of concern during
lactation (see individual drug information). |
| Name of medication |
AAP approved?* |
Lactation
Risk Category** |
Notes |
| Aloe, Aloe Vera |
not reviewed |
L3 (moderately safe) |
|
| Bisacodyl |
not reviewed |
L2 (safer) |
2 |
| Casanthranol |
not reviewed |
not reviewed |
|
| Cascara Sagrada |
yes |
L3 (moderately safe) |
3 |
| Castor Oil |
not reviewed |
L3 (moderately safe) |
4 |
| Dehydrocholic Acid |
not reviewed |
not reviewed |
5 |
| Senna, Sennosides |
yes |
L3 (moderately safe) |
6 |
* Per the AAP Policy
Statement The
Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk,
revised September 2001.
** Per Medications'
and Mothers' Milk by Thomas Hale, PhD (2002 edition)
1. Internal use of aloe vera is strongly
discouraged, particularly in children and pregnant or breastfeeding
women. See also Aloe
Vera.
2. Minimal oral/rectal
absorption.
3. Per Hale, cascara
sagrada may cause loose stools in newborns. See also Cascara
sagrada.
4. Oral absorption
is unknown. Contraindicated during pregnancy due to risk of
uterine contractions. Per Hale, use with caution; excess amounts
could cause diarrhea, insomnia, tremors in infant.
5.
Significant oral absorption.
6. Per Hale,
may cause loose stools in infant. See also Senna. |
Table 6: Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breast-Feeding,
from the AAP Policy Statement The
Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk, revised
September 2001.
Hale, Thomas. Medications
and Mothers' Milk, 10th Edition. Pharmasoft Medical Publishing,
2002. Dr. Hale's website is located at http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/index.html.
| Links
for additional information |
Selected List
of Medications approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mothers
(revised 9/01) (at this website)
Medications and Breastfeeding:
References (at this website)
Constipation
from MedicineNet.com
Laxatives
(Local) monograph from drugs.com
Laxative Products
Review is a useful set of information on laxatives; just keep
in mind that the website is selling a laxative alternative product.
Page last modified:
03/03/2005
Written: 07/11/2003
