I am breastfeeding and wanted to check if I can take Fleet Enema?
Fleet Enema contains sodium phospate but the pharmacist said is should get absorbed in the blood but asked me to double check with my infants ped. I have left a VM for the doc but wanted to see if anyone else had any information on this medication and if its safe during nursing.
I have tried all natural stuff and have tried fiber for a week like metamucil.
According to: Hale, T (1998). Medications and mothers' milk (7th ed.). Amarillo, TX Pharmasoft Medical Publishing:
"Osmotic or saline laxatives (Milk of magnesia, Fleet Phosph-soda, Citrate of Magnesia, Mylanta, Gastrobrom, Epsom Salt)…are poorly absorbed, they stay largely in the GI tract and are eliminated without systemic absorption…the secretion of higher than normal levels into milk is rare and unlikely…Pediatric concerns: None reported via milk."
"Bisacodyl (Dacodyl, Dulcolax) is a stimulant laxative…has only limited secretion into breast milk due to poor gastric absorption and subsequently minimal systemic levels. Little or no known harmful effects on infants…Pediatric concerns: None reported via milk."
I was unable to find any reference to the use of fleets enema and its transference to breast milk. A better alternative for you might be to increase your dietary fiber (fresh fruits, whole-wheat products), increasing fluids, and increasing activity. The prolonged use and reliance on either a laxative or enema can result in difficulty in establishing a return to normal bowel habits for your following your daughter's birth. If constipation continues to be a problem for you, you should discuss this with your health care provider, and remind them that you are breastfeeding your daughter.
For more information:
August 12th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Jeepers, why don't you just eat some prunes or graham crackers?
Enemas should ALWAYS be a last resort–they are AWFUL for you!
References :
August 12th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
My info says that it is poorly absorbed but that it hasn't been reviewed for safety during lactation. Why not use one of the ones that has been assessed and is safe:
Magnesium Sulfate (epsom salt)
Magnesium Hydroxide (milk of magnesia)
References :
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/laxatives.html
August 12th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Why not just take a stool softner…….. they have all natural ones, or eat some prunes.
References :
August 12th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
According to: Hale, T (1998). Medications and mothers' milk (7th ed.). Amarillo, TX Pharmasoft Medical Publishing:
"Osmotic or saline laxatives (Milk of magnesia, Fleet Phosph-soda, Citrate of Magnesia, Mylanta, Gastrobrom, Epsom Salt)…are poorly absorbed, they stay largely in the GI tract and are eliminated without systemic absorption…the secretion of higher than normal levels into milk is rare and unlikely…Pediatric concerns: None reported via milk."
"Bisacodyl (Dacodyl, Dulcolax) is a stimulant laxative…has only limited secretion into breast milk due to poor gastric absorption and subsequently minimal systemic levels. Little or no known harmful effects on infants…Pediatric concerns: None reported via milk."
I was unable to find any reference to the use of fleets enema and its transference to breast milk. A better alternative for you might be to increase your dietary fiber (fresh fruits, whole-wheat products), increasing fluids, and increasing activity. The prolonged use and reliance on either a laxative or enema can result in difficulty in establishing a return to normal bowel habits for your following your daughter's birth. If constipation continues to be a problem for you, you should discuss this with your health care provider, and remind them that you are breastfeeding your daughter.
For more information:
References :