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Post delivery, there are many chances that a postpartum woman will experience certain health issues such as uterine infections, back pain, bladder infections, and in most cases, postpartum depression which can be treated medically.
During the nursing period, most moms tend to consider taking anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen, known for its therapeutic effects. Nevertheless, when deciding on consuming this medication during breastfeeding, the risks must at all times be weighed in contrast to the goods. Owing to the limited research on the intake of naproxen, levels in breastmilk (remain low) and the possible negative effects on infants are uncommon. This is why it is best to look at certain other options of medications as well.
To help you decide whether or not these medicines such as naproxen are safe to consume during nursing, lets jump into the blog below.
A Gentle Reminder
Here’s what our lactation consultant, Leslie Owens from Mother Nurture Maternity, Atlanta wants to remind our breastfeeding parents, “You can call the infant risk center or use the mommy meds app for assistance. Most medications are generally safe and the myth or fear that they aren’t is why many women don’t breastfeed.”
What Is Naproxen Medication? Can You Take Naproxen While Breastfeeding?
Naproxen medication is an anti-inflammatory drug that is best used for treating arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis), swelling, fever, and stiffness. This is an NSAID or as we know it as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that includes analgesic and antipyretic properties.
Naproxen helps you find relief from pain (slight to moderate) such as menstrual cramps, bursitis, and tendinitis. These are available in multiple forms like; tablets (enteric-coated and extended-release), capsule, and suspension. While the other forms are only available through a prescription.
Is It Ok To Take Naproxen While Nursing?
There are numerous questions asked from nursing moms about if Naproxen medication can be taken when breastfeeding. To answer this, as per studies, consuming these for a short period is safe but even then these must be taken only after the doctor’s consultation.
As also stated above, it is crucial for you to weigh the advantages and the risks of any medication for that matter before you take any medicine when nursing. The easiest and the best way out is to consult a doctor in order to avoid any kind of complications or side-effects.
Naproxen During Breastfeeding and Its Side-effects
On Breastfeeding Parents:
Listed below are the side effects that a breastfeeding mom could experience when and if they take Naproxen:
- Drowsiness
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Water retention
- Hives
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Hearing issues
- Headaches
- Vision problems
On Breastfed Babies:
Naproxen medications are believed to have a comparatively low transfer rate into breast milk. This is why sporadic use of the medication might not pose any harm to the infant. As per studies, some infants have happened to experience vomiting and drowsiness and none required follow-up medical treatment.
Can You Take Aleve While Breastfeeding: Precautionary Measures To Take During Breastfeeding
It isn’t a hard “no” to take naproxen medication while breastfeeding, nevertheless, as any other medication it is best to take precautionary measures when consuming the medicine. Listed below are some measures to keep in mind:
- Before you make your mind on consuming the naproxen medication during breastfeeding, you must make it a point to inform your doctor about the allergies (foods, preservatives, dyes) or the unusual reactions that you might experience. Which is why it is crucial for you to keep an eye on the product labelling when using the medicine.
- Using naproxen as a combination with certain medications might not be entirely feasible as it could result in harmful interactions. Therefore, keep your doctor informed if you are on any medication. Based on that, they might want the use, issue special instructions about consuming the medication, or alter its dosage as per the situation.
- If there is a history of certain medical conditions, that might also affect the usage of naproxen; such as in case of any heart disease, liver condition, kidney disease, hypertension, stomach ulcers, anaemia, history of stroke, bleeding issues, etc. Always remember to acquaint the doctor with the medical history.
- Ensure you follow regular follow-up visits with the doctor so they can keep an eye on the progress of the medicine and its efficacy. In some cases, the doctor can suggest blood or urine tests to detect any unwanted effects.
No alternative here, make sure to always take necessary precautions when it comes to taking any kind of medication during nursing to help prevent any likely harm to the little one. In case it leads to any side effects, consult your doctor for advice before consuming or you experience any warning symptoms.
To Conclude: The Effects Of Naproxen While Breastfeeding
The limited information on the intake during lactation and the levels of naproxen are low and have adverse effects on breastfed infants that are uncommon. However, due to naproxen’s long half-life and its reported adverse reaction in a breastfed neonate, other agents can be preferred while nursing a preterm infant or a newborn.
Drug Levels
The peak milk levels of naproxen for a 5-month-old postpartum patient is 1.1 – 1.3 mg/L and for those taking oral pills is 250 mg two times a day and 2.4 mg/L with 375 mg of a dose two times a day.
The peak milk levels only occur for 4 to 5 hours after the dose and fall slowly over 12 to 24 hours. As for the urinary excretion data, the authors have estimated that infants received about 0.26% of the mother’s total dose or about 1.9% of the weight-adjusted maternal dosage.
If using the peak milk level data, the maximum intake of a breastfed infant would be between 2.2 to 2.8% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage. This does not include the contribution of glucuronide metabolite.
FAQs: Can You Take Naproxen Aleve While Breastfeeding
1) What are the alternate drugs that you can consider as an alternative to Naproxen?
2) What are the precautionary measures to look into when taking the Naproxen medication?
3) What are the side effects that a breastfeeding mom could experience when they take Naproxen?
4) What are Naproxen medications and how do they help?
Reviewed By:
Leslie Owens - RN IBCLC, Lactation Coach & Consultant
Leslie Owens is a Perinatal RN and IBCLC based in the Atlanta area. She prides herself as a human milk advocate, facilitator, and clinician. She has supported pregnant and postpartum families for over 10 years in the perinatal space. Her passion for birth and lactation began with her own personal experiences, birthing and breastfeeding three children, including twins.
Leslie currently owns and operates Mother Nurture Maternity, a private practice where she provides breastfeeding education and support, as well as coaching and mentorship to aspiring and new IBCLCs, She is committed to providing accessible, skilled, compassionate, and equitable care to all.
