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#13691 07/31/10 08:53 AM
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Is there an over the counter allergy medication that is acceptable to take while pumping that will not diminish your supply?

Claudia #13692 07/31/10 05:25 PM
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I found this info for you. Hope it helps:
There are ingredients in some allergy and cold medications that can decrease
your milk supply up to 59%. Although these medicines may be considered safe to take
during pregnancy, for example Sudafed, pseudoephedrine is a decongestant and will
?dry you up?. Breastmilk is a body fluid, so it may decrease your milk supply after
taking a single dose.

"There are very few decongestants on the market that don't contain
pseudoephedrine," says Charles Ganley, M.D., director of the Food and Drug
Administration's Office of Nonprescription Products. When using an antihistamine,
it can be helpful to step up your fluid intake quite a bit. Treat only the symptoms you have, and try to avoid a combination medicine, especially medicines that contain
pseudoephedrine, and use nasal spray instead of oral medications when possible.

If you do take pseudoephedrine and notice a drop in milk supply, simply stop the
medication and take measures to increase milk supply?the problem should resolve
fairly quickly.

An alternative to an allergy or cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine would be finding a medication that contains Phenylephrine. Phenylephrine is used to relieve
nasal discomfort caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It is also used to relieve
sinus congestion and pressure, and has a decreased instance of suppressing milk
supply. Your local pharmacist can assist you in finding a medication that contains this
ingredient. As with any medication, take it only as needed, and discontinue use as
soon as you can.

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Thanks. That is what I was afraid of. I will just have to deal with it. August is going to be a LONG month!

Claudia #13698 08/02/10 08:16 AM
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You know, funny thing. I've been on antihistamines and decongestants for years and was very worried that I'd be suffering with allergies while on the protocol since I decided to stop taking all my allergy meds. Instead, I haven't had a better allergy season in years. It's weird. I don't know if it's all in my head (haha) or if it's some kind of effect of the bfing hormones...


**Jenny**
AP to Helina, home from Ethiopia at 10 months old in Feb 2010

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