Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir Breastfeeding

American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical experts exclusively recommend to breastfeed the baby for first 6 months. Once you introduce baby to other foods it is recommended to breastfeed for at least first year of babys life. Taking medication while breastfeeding could be tricky as most drugs pass in breast milk. In this article we will evaluate Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir for its safety in breastfeeding.

What is Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir used for?


Endocrine Disorders: Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Nonsuppurative thyroiditis Hypercalcemia associated with cancer Rheumatic Disorders: As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy) Ankylosing spondylitis Acute and subacute bursitis Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis Acute gouty arthritis Post-traumatic osteoarthritis Synovitis of osteoarthritis Epicondylitis Collagen Diseases: During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: Systemic lupus erythematosus Acute rheumatic carditis Dermatologic Diseases: Pemphigus Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) Exfoliative dermatitis Mycosis fungoides Severe psoriasis Severe seborrheic dermatitis Allergic States: Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment: Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis Bronchial asthma Contact dermatitis Atopic dermatitis Serum sickness Drug hypersensitivity reactions Ophthalmic Diseases: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as: Allergic conjunctivitis Keratitis Allergic corneal marginal ulcers Herpes zoster ophthalmicus Iritis and iridocyclitis Chorioretinitis Anterior segment inflammation Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis Optic neuritis Sympathetic ophthalmia Respiratory Diseases: Symptomatic sarcoidosis Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means Berylliosis Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy Aspiration pneumonitis Hematologic Disorders: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia Erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia) Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia Neoplastic Diseases: For palliative management of: Leukemia and lymphomas in adults Acute leukemia of childhood Edematous States: To induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus Gastrointestinal Diseases: To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in: Ulcerative colitis Regional enteritis Miscellaneous: Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement Diagnostic testing of adrenocortical hyperfunction.

Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir while breastfeeding safe or not? Can there be any side effects for infant while using it during breastfeeding?

Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir low risk for breastfeeding
Dexamethasone is the one and only active ingredient present in Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir. Dexamethasone in itself is a low risk drug for lactation so it is easy to understand that Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir also comes in category of Low Risk item while breastfeeding. Below is the summary of Dexamethasone in breastfeeding.

Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir Breastfeeding Analsys


Dexamethasone while Breastfeeding

Low Risk

CAS Number: 50-02-2

Pharmacokinetic data indicate that excretion into breast milk in significant levels is possible, hence for long term treatments other steroids with lower excretion would be advisable. Other steroids (Betamethasone) that are administered prior to delivery can produce a delay of Lactogenesis phase II (milk's coming in) and a decrease of milk production within the first post-partum week. Intra-articular injected large doses of other steroids (Triamcinolone, Methylprednisolone) may transiently affect milk production. A decrease of prolactin release after administration of dexamethasone has been observed that may decrease milk production mostly in the first post-partum weeks. Topical use: Because of a low absorption through skin significant excretion into breast milk is unlikely. Additionally, a high protein binding makes excretion even more unlikely. Whenever a treatment for nipple eczema or dermatitis is required the lowest potency steroid compound should be used. It should be applied right after the feed to make sure it has disappeared before the next nursing occurs. Otherwise, wipe cream out with a clean gauze. Do not continuously use for longer than a week. Reportedly, a case of mineral-steroid toxicity has occurred due to continuous use of cream on the nipple. Creams, gels or similar products that contain paraffin or mineral oil should not be used on the nipple to avoid absorption by the infant. Corticoids are frequently prescribed in Pediatrics with no side effects on the infant when indicated for short-term or sporadical use. On nursing mothers a timely use or not long-term treatment is compatible with breastfeeding along with the assessment of milk production. WHO Model List of Essential Drugs 2002: Compatible with breastfeeding in single dose. No data is available on long-term use.


Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir Breastfeeding Analsys - 2


Dexamethasone while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 50-02-2

Because no information is available on the use of systemic dexamethasone during breastfeeding, an alternate corticosteroid may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Local injections, such as for tendinitis, would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, but might occasionally cause temporary loss of milk supply.



I already used Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir and meanwhile I breastfed my baby should I be concerned?

Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir is in the category of low risk, if you have already used it then its not a big deal if health and behavior of baby is good. However your health care provider shall be aware of the fact that you have used Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir so you should inform him based on your convenience.


I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir, is it safe?

Though Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir dose not comes in category of safe drugs rather it comes in category of low risk but if your doctor is aware that you are breastfeeding your baby and has still recommended it then its advantages must be outweighing the risks.


If I am using Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Not much monitoring required while using Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir


Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Decadron | Dexamethasone Elixir in breastfeeding?

US
National Womens Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662 (TDD 888-220-5446) 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

UK
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300-100-0212 9.30am to 9.30pm, daily
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300-330-5453
La Leche League: 0345-120-2918
The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300-456-2421
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300-330-0700

Australia
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800-686-268 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Canada
Telehealth Ontario for breastfeeding: 1-866-797-0000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week