Last update Dec. 9, 2022

Belladona

Limited compatibility

Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.

In herbal medicine the leaves of this plant that contains numerous alkaloids with anticholinergic and antimuscarinic properties are used: l-hyoscyamine and atropine, scopolamine or hyoscine and, all of them potentially high toxic. Traditionally used with poor clinical evidence based on trials as anti-asthmatic, for common colds and intestinal spasms.

At latest update no published data on excretion into breast milk were found.

Although antimuscarinics are thought to decrease prolactin production (Müller 1983, Masala 1982), once lactation is established, milk production depends more on the repeated stimulation of suckling than on prolactin levels.

Potential side effects are serious (tachycardia, thirst, fever, mydriasis, seizures, coma), especially in infants and newborns (Caksen 2003 Laffargue 2011, Glatstein 2014, Rodríguez-González 2014). There have been cases of gangrene when applied to the breast. (Wani 2011)

Belladonna is included in association with other “over the counter" medications of doubtful effectiveness or safety. Overall drug associations are not recommended. Withdrawal or restricted from the market in Spain. (MSC 2004)

Precautions when taking plant preparations:

  1. Make sure it is obtained from a reliable source: reportedly, poisonings have occurred due to confusion after using another plant with toxic effects (Hsu 1995), some others contain heavy metals that may cause poisoning and others may cause food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi.
  2. Do not take it excessively. "Natural" products are not always good in any amount: plants contain active substances from which are made many compounds of our traditional pharmacopoeia that can cause poisoning if consumed in exaggerated quantities or for long periods.

Alternatives

  • Atropine (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Dinoprost trometamol (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Belladona is also known as


Belladona in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Belladona in its composition:

References

  1. Glatstein M, Danino D, Wolyniez I, Scolnik D. Seizures caused by ingestion of Atropa belladonna in a homeopathic medicine in a previously well infant: case report and review of the literature. Am J Ther. 2014 Abstract
  2. Rodríguez-González M, Benavente Fernández I, Zafra Rodríguez P, Lechuga-Sancho AM, Lubián López S. Toxicity of remedies for infantile colic. Arch Dis Child. 2014 Abstract
  3. Wani I, Bakshi I, Parray FQ, Malik AA, Wani RA, Shah M, Husasin I, Malik A, Wani S, Syed W. Breast gangrene. World J Emerg Surg. 2011 Abstract
  4. Laffargue F, Oudot C, Constanty A, Bedu A, Ketterer-Martinon S. [Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) intoxication in a 2-year-old child]. Arch Pediatr. 2011 Abstract
  5. Lee MR. Solanaceae IV: Atropa belladonna, deadly nightshade. J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2007 Abstract
  6. MSC - Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo de España. ORDEN SCO/190/2004, de 28 de enero, por la que se establece la lista de plantas cuya venta al público queda prohibida o restringida por razón de su toxicidad. BOE 2004; 32:5061-6065 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Caksen H, Odabaş D, Akbayram S, Cesur Y, Arslan S, Uner A, Oner AF. Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) intoxication: an analysis of 49 children. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2003 Abstract
  8. Hsu CK, Leo P, Shastry D, Meggs W, Weisman R, Hoffman RS. Anticholinergic poisoning associated with herbal tea. Arch Intern Med. 1995 Abstract
  9. Müller EE, Locatelli V, Cella S, Peñalva A, Novelli A, Cocchi D. Prolactin-lowering and -releasing drugs. Mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications. Drugs. 1983 Apr;25(4):399-432. Review. Abstract
  10. Masala A, Alagna S, Devilla L, Rovasio PP, Rassa S, Faedda R, Satta A. Muscarinic receptor blockade by pirenzepine: effect on prolactin secretion in man. J Endocrinol Invest. 1982 Jan-Feb;5(1):53-5. Abstract

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