Are Oxitol And Levipil Safe While Breastfeeding The Baby?
Decision on breast feeding
Detailed Answer:
HI..will discuss each drug separately -
Oxital - Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite (MHD) are excreted in human milk; milk-to-plasma concentration ratio of 0.5 was found for both
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made as to whether a mother should discontinue nursing or whether she should discontinue use of the drug, taking into account the drug's importance to the mother.
Levipil - Levetiracetam - Excreted in breast milk; not recommended.
Both are deemed as category C drugs in pregnancy which is usually applicable to lactation and breast feeding too. Category C means - Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
With this I suggest that if the mother has to be on the drugs then let her not breast feed the baby.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Almost all the drugs for seizures carry this risk
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX I understand your concern about the feeding of your new-born baby. But almost all the drugs for seizures carry of risk of getting secreted in the breast milk. Some cause the baby's blood to thinned out and most of them cause drowsiness for the baby and they act in a similar way as they act on the mother, that is they act on the brain.
Regarding stopping of seizure medications, your wife's neurologist will be the best person to decide on it as he/ she is following up the case regularly.
I suggest you not to take risk with your wife's health and feed the baby with artificial milk as this is a valid indication. If you ask me as what to start, all the milk powders commercially available have the same calorie content with minor differences. What ever XXXXXXX you use, the most important thing is proper dilution of the powder (1 scoop in 30ml of water) and feeding with a spoon or paladey. AVOID USING BOTTLE FOR FEEDING.
I wish your kid a bright future and your wife a speedy recovery from epilepsy. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below -
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696
Regards - Dr. Sumanth