Last update Nov. 7, 2023
Likely Compatibility
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.
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Benzalkonium Chloride in other languages or writings:
Benzalkonium Chloride belongs to these groups or families:
Main tradenames from several countries containing Benzalkonium Chloride in its composition:
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e-lactancia is a resource recommended by IHAN of Spain
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Benzalkonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium antiseptic and disinfectant used to clean the skin, mucous membranes (oral, vaginal) and wounds, in seborrheic dermatitis, as a spermicide, and as a preservative in medicines, as a disinfectant of surgical material and in cleaning products. Topical application in solutions or creams: cutaneous, oral and vaginal.
Benzalkonium chloride was not detected in the plasma or milk of women using tampons containing this disinfectant. (Johnson 1989)
Minimal levels, probably of no clinical significance, have been detected in milk samples from women using household disinfectants containing benzalkonium chloride (more if used frequently and in aerosol form). No problems in infants were described. (Zheng 2022)
Systemic absorption through the skin is negligible or below the limit of quantitation. (DeLeo 2021)
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With regard to occupational risks for breastfeeding mothers (INSHT 2022, UN 2011, EC Regulation 2008), there are only two Hazard phrases (old R-phrases, currently H-phrases for hazard) or precaution statements (P-phrases) that should appear on the product’s safety data sheet:
Three other H-phrases that should be considered during breastfeeding are related to the carcinogenic, mutagenic or cumulative strength of a product:
Based on the absence of these phrases in the safety data sheet of this product (cita1 aaaa, cita2 aaa..), it would not be necessary to remove a breastfeeding mother from her job, and it would be enough for the company to meet legal requirements regarding the maximum levels of environmental exposure and for the employee to follow recommended rules of caution (gloves, hand and face washing, change of clothes, etc.)
Spermicides containing benzalkonium chloride are considered compatible with breastfeeding. (Serfaty 2015).
Do not apply to the breast or clean well before breastfeeding; avoid ingestion by the infant, as it is very caustic and can cause severe digestive lesions. (Civan 2016)
Collectively, data indicate that there are no safety concerns regarding use of products that contain Benzalkonium Chloride under the current concentration restrictions, even when utilized at maximal permitted levels. (Choi 2018)
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With regard to occupational risks for breastfeeding mothers (INSHT 2022, UN 2011, EC Regulation 2008), there are only two Hazard phrases (old R-phrases, currently H-phrases for hazard) or precaution statements (P-phrases) that should appear on the product’s safety data sheet:
Three other H-phrases that should be considered during breastfeeding are related to the carcinogenic, mutagenic or cumulative strength of a product:
Based on the absence of these phrases in the safety data sheet of this product (Quimipur 2019), it would not be necessary to remove a breastfeeding mother from her job, and it would be enough for the company to meet legal requirements regarding the maximum levels of environmental exposure and for the employee to follow recommended rules of caution (gloves, hand and face washing, change of clothes, etc.)