{"id":632113,"date":"2025-05-09T09:30:34","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T13:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632113"},"modified":"2025-04-30T13:48:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T17:48:16","slug":"prednisone-and-breastfeeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prednisone-and-breastfeeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Is prednisone breastfeeding safe?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prednisone is a prescription corticosteroid medication taken to reduce inflammation. Patients take prednisone to treat many different conditions, including asthma, allergic reactions, certain types of arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because these conditions can impact people of all ages, women may wonder if taking prednisone while breastfeeding is safe. Luckily, research shows that it is generally safe for the baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take prednisone while breastfeeding?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Moms are often careful about what they eat and drink while breastfeeding, knowing that anything they consume, from food to medication, can pass through breast milk and affect their newborn baby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to breastfeeding, prednisone is generally considered safe in low to moderate doses,\u201d explains <\/span>Kimberly Langdon<\/span><\/a>, MD, an OB-GYN based in Ohio. \u201cResearch, including guidance from LactMed and the American Academy of Pediatrics, supports that small amounts of prednisone are excreted into breast milk, but the levels are typically low and unlikely to harm the infant.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome potential benefits of prednisone in new mothers include rapid relief from postpartum autoimmune flares, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, which can improve maternal well-being and ability to care for the baby,\u201d Dr. Langdon says. <\/span>While prescribing prednisone during breastfeeding isn\u2019t uncommon, physicians weigh the risks and benefits carefully. \u201cIt\u2019s not strictly reserved as a last resort, but safer alternatives or topical steroids might be considered for mild conditions,\u201d Dr. Langdon says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn pain management, we often use it short-term to help relieve inflammation that\u2019s causing pain flares or nerve irritation,\u201d adds <\/span>Sean Ormond<\/span><\/a>, MD, of Atlas Pain Specialists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several studies over the past few decades, including ones published in <\/span>The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span>Transplantation<\/span><\/i><\/a>, have shown that the amount of prednisone found in breast milk is very low. No adverse effects have been reported in infants who are breastfed by mothers who are taking prednisone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone vs. prednisolone while breastfeeding<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prednisone and prednisolone are both synthetic glucocorticoids used to treat inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Prednisolone is the active metabolite of prednisone. In other words, prednisone becomes prednisolone in the body, Dr. Ormond says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisolone may be preferred in patients who have impaired liver function since it does not require liver metabolism. Prednisone must be converted into prednisolone in the liver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When looking at the potential side effects of <\/span>prednisolone versus prednisone<\/span><\/a>, no adverse effects have been reported in breastfed infants when the mother uses any type of corticosteroid, according to the <\/span>National Institutes of Health Drugs and Lactation Database<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we compare, we mostly look at how much of the drug enters the bloodstream and then the milk,\u201d Dr. Ormond says. <\/span>Prednisone has a long track record and is a reliable choice for most situations.\u201d However, it\u2019s always important to reach out to your provider with any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re facing the need to take prednisone while breastfeeding, know that you\u2019re not alone and there are safe ways to balance both your health and your baby\u2019s well-being,\u201d Dr. Ormond says.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long should I wait to breastfeed after taking prednisone?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Out of an abundance of caution, it\u2019s commonly recommended to wait four hours after a dose to breastfeed. However waiting is not necessary if you\u2019re taking doses less than 40 mg per day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For higher doses, ask a healthcare provider about timing of nursing. The highest levels of prednisone occur one to two hours after ingestion, so <\/span>Jessica Madden<\/span><\/a>, MD, a pediatrician, neonatologist, and medical director at Aeroflow Breastpumps, suggests waiting two hours to breastfeed or breast pump after each dose if possible. \u201cPrednisone is typically totally gone from the body and breastmilk about 12 hours after ingestion,\u201d Dr. Madden adds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone, sometimes prescribed under the brand names Deltasone or <\/span>Rayos<\/span><\/a>, is available as an oral tablet in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, or 50 mg doses. It is also available as an oral solution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of prednisone while breastfeeding<\/span><\/h2>\n

While there have been no adverse effects reported in infants who are breastfeeding from mothers who have been prescribed prednisone, side effects in mothers may still occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone side effects<\/span><\/a> in mothers may include:<\/span><\/p>\n