Antibiotics and breastfeeding?

Question

I have an abcessed tooth and need to take Ampicillin (sp), has anyone sucessfully taken it while breastfeeding?

Answer 1

Absolutely, our hospital often gives gentamycin, clindamycin and ampicillin to our postpartum moms who have had fevers in labor or other signs of infection.

In fact, IV ampicillin is the treatment of choice for GBS + mothers when in labor.

That said, you should just let your health care provider you are breastfeeding whenever they write you a prescription just to be sure. You can also check in Dr. Hale's's Breastfeeding Pharmacology, which is a book that tells which medications are appropriate during nursing. Believe it or not, some doctors will give you the wrong information as research changes all the time. In general though, the great majority of prescription and OTC drugs are safe while breastfeeding.

Answer 2

it's dangerous to take antibiotics while breastfeeding, UNLESS the prescribing doctor is aware you are breastfeeding and prescribed something low-dose that is known to be safe. DON'T risk taking antibiotics without double checking with the prescribing doctor and your pharmacist (because let's face it, pharmacists are more current than most doctors on what's safe, etc.) to make sure it's safe for both mum & baby.

Answer 3

It is NOT dangerous to take antibiotics during breastfeeding. Some particular antibiotics may not be safe for nursing mothers, but almost without exception a safe alternative can usually be found. Even babies in the NICU receive antibiotics for infections, so you can almost always find a drug that is safe for a nursing mother.

Contact your OB or your baby's pediatrician. If they cannot help you, contact La Leche League at 1-800-LA-LECHE for the most up-to-date scientific research on medications for nursing mothers. Good luck & feel better soon!

Answer 4

if you didn't tell the dentist you were breastfeeding, don't take a chance. call them back and ask. if it isn't they will prescribe something else. or call your dr to double check, or even call the pharmacist. either way, the dentist will have prescribe something else if you shouldn't take it.