Methadone Hydrochloride Powder while Breastfeeding

What is Methadone Hydrochloride Powder used for?

I am breastfeeding mother and I am using Methadone Hydrochloride Powder. Can it have any bad effect on my kid? Shall I search for better alternative?

Methadone hydrochloride while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 1095-90-5

Drugs used in the treatment of opioid dependence and treatment of neonatal opiate withdrawal. It is excreted in breast milk in clinically non-significant amount without problems in the short or long term in infants whose mothers were treated. Plasma levels of these infants were undetectable or very low. The dose that gets the infant through the mother's milk, even when taking 70-150 mg a-day, is much lower than that used to treat neonatal abstinence syndrome. This is a reason for not using it as a solely measure of treatment. It should be reinforced that it is observed a non-polydrug behavior and adequacy of maternal care is maintained. Many newborns are either premature or underweight infants, and over 60% develop withdrawal syndrome at about one post-natal month. Breastfeeding with regard to the entire context of addictive behavior is neither easy nor frequently achieved. Much help is needed on supporting addicted mothers by health and social services in the community. Methadone excretion into breast milk is minimal regardless of the dose taken by the mother. No correlation was found between maternal dose and concentration in either breast milk or infant plasma.It has been shown delayed onset of neonatal abstinence syndrome, less need for drug treatment and lower average of hospital stay in breastfed infants.High doses can lead to a slow start (within 2-6 weeks) of withdrawal syndrome when breastfeeding is suddenly stopped. Methadone can cause galactorrhea due to increased prolactin secretion.

Methadone hydrochloride while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 76-99-3

Most infants receive an estimated dose of methadone ranging from 1 to 3% of the mother's weight-adjusted methadone dosage with a few receiving 5 to 6%, which is less than the dosage used for treating neonatal abstinence. Initiation of methadone postpartum, or increasing the maternal dosage to greater than 100 mg daily therapeutically or by abuse while breastfeeding poses a risk of sedation and respiratory depression in the breastfed infant, especially if the infant was not exposed to methadone in utero. If the baby shows signs of increased sleepiness (more than usual), breathing difficulties, or limpness, a physician should be contacted immediately. Other agents are preferred over methadone for pain control during breastfeeding. Women who received methadone maintenance during pregnancy and are stable should be encouraged to breastfeed their infants postpartum, unless there is another contraindication, such as use of street drugs.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Breastfeeding may decrease, but not eliminate, neonatal withdrawal symptoms in infants who were exposed in utero. Some studies have found shorter hospital stays, durations of neonatal abstinence therapy and shorter durations of therapy among breastfed infants, although the dosage of opiates used for neonatal abstinence may not be reduced.[8][9][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The long-term outcome of infants breastfed during maternal methadone therapy for opiate abuse has not been well studied.[18] Abrupt weaning of breastfed infants of women on methadone maintenance might result in precipitation of or an increase in infant withdrawal symptoms, and gradual weaning is advised. The breastfeeding rate among mothers taking methadone for opiate dependency has been lower than in mothers not using methadone in some studies, but this finding appears to vary by institution, indicating that other factors may be important.

What should I do if I am breastfeeding mother and I am already exposed to Methadone Hydrochloride Powder?

I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Methadone Hydrochloride Powder, is it safe?

If I am using Methadone Hydrochloride Powder, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Methadone Hydrochloride Powder in breastfeeding?