Paracetamol and breastfeeding
and Sabine Schrör, medical journalist Updated onNicole Wendler holds a PhD in biology in the field of oncology and immunology. As a medical editor, author and proofreader, she works for various publishers, for whom she presents complex and extensive medical issues in a simple, concise and logical manner.
More about the expertsSabine Schrör is a freelance writer for the medical team. She studied business administration and public relations in Cologne. As a freelance editor, she has been at home in a wide variety of industries for more than 15 years. Health is one of her favorite subjects.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.Paracetamol and breastfeeding - this constellation is not a problem. The pain reliever, which has been tried and tested for 40 years, has proven itself both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding and is considered to be the first choice for headaches and the like Take correctly during breastfeeding.
Paracetamol and breastfeeding: Dosage during breastfeeding
Women may use paracetamol in single doses of up to 1000 milligrams while breastfeeding. The active ingredient is only excreted in breast milk in very small quantities. At a dose of 1000 milligrams, the infant receives only 1.85 percent of the maternal dose through breast milk.
The mother should not exceed a maximum daily dose of 2000 milligrams. As with any pain reliever, it is better to take paracetamol only occasionally and in low doses when breastfeeding and never for longer than three to four days without medical advice! Try to treat less severe pain non-medically or with home remedies.
Paracetamol and breastfeeding: when does it help?
If you are breastfeeding, paracetamol - along with ibuprofen - is the first choice as a pain reliever (analgesic). However, unlike ibuprofen, it has hardly any anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, because of its good fever-lowering effect, it is particularly popular with colds, flu symptoms and fever.
It can also help with mild pain or migraines. Especially during breastfeeding, migraines are often less severe than before birth, so that paracetamol is usually sufficient to alleviate the symptoms.
Paracetamol And Breastfeeding: How Does It Work?
Paracetamol inhibits the production of prostaglandins (tissue hormones that play a role in inflammatory processes, fever and the mediation of pain) via certain substances in the central nervous system. It also acts on the cannabinoid system (calming and pain-relieving effect) and the serotonin system (serotonin = "happiness hormone").
Paracetamol reaches its maximum concentration after oral ingestion after about 30 to 60 minutes; Administered rectally as a suppository it takes three to four hours. After about 2.6 hours, the concentration in breast milk has halved (half-life).
Paracetamol and breastfeeding: side effects in the infant
Paracetamol is also available as a combination preparation: The active ingredient is available together with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and / or codeine. When taking paracetamol while breastfeeding, however, make sure that you only use a monopreparation - i.e. a preparation that only contains paracetamol.
The combination with codeine in particular should be avoided during breastfeeding, since otherwise fatal morphine intoxication can result in infants if the mother has a corresponding genotype (CYP2D6).
If paracetamol is only taken occasionally and if the dose is strictly adhered to, the amounts of active ingredient in breast milk are too low to cause side effects in the infant. So there is nothing against taking paracetamol and breastfeeding.
You can read all further general information on the effects, interactions and side effects of paracetamol here.
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