I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Cyproheptadine? Is Cyproheptadine safe for nursing mother and child? Does Cyproheptadine extracts into breast milk? Does Cyproheptadine has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Cyproheptadine influence milk supply or can Cyproheptadine decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Answer by DrLact: About Cyproheptadine usage in lactation

Unless it is intentionally being used to lower maternal serum prolactin levels, cyproheptadine should be avoided during lactation because it may interfere with lactation, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established. The nonsedating antihistamines are preferred alternatives.

Cyproheptadine Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Relevant published information on cyproheptadine was not found as of the revision date. In one telephone follow-up study, mothers reported irritability and colicky symptoms in 10% of infants exposed to various antihistamines and drowsiness was reported in 1.6% of infants. None of the reactions required medical attention and none of the infants were exposed to cyproheptadine.[1]

Cyproheptadine Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

Cyproheptadine 16 to 24 mg daily lowers serum prolactin in the treatment of amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome because of its antiserotonin activity.[2] Additionally, antihistamines in relatively high doses given by injection can decrease basal serum prolactin in nonlactating women and in early postpartum women.[3][4] However, suckling-induced prolactin secretion is not affected by antihistamine pretreatment of postpartum mothers.[3] Whether lower oral doses of cyproheptadine have the same effect on serum prolactin or whether the effects on prolactin have any consequences on breastfeeding success have not been studied. It is possible that these effects would interfere with initiation of lactation, but the prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.

Alternate Drugs

Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)
Epinastine(Low Risk)
Meclizine(Low Risk)
Pyrilamine(Low Risk)
Cyclizine(Low Risk)
Clemastine(Low Risk)
Carbinoxamine(Low Risk)
Brompheniramine(Low Risk)
Levocetirizine(Low Risk)
Azelastine(Low Risk)
Acrivastine(Low Risk)
Ketotifen(Low Risk)
Diphenhydramine(Low Risk)
Dimenhydrinate(Low Risk)
Cimetidine(Low Risk)
Cascara Sagrada(Low Risk)
Cyclizine(Low Risk)
Alosetron(Low Risk)
Droperidol(Low Risk)