Last update July 11, 2022
Compatible
We do not have alternatives for Fentanyl since it is relatively safe.
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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Fentanyl is also known as
Fentanyl in other languages or writings:
Fentanyl belongs to these groups or families:
Main tradenames from several countries containing Fentanyl in its composition:
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e-lactancia is a resource recommended by Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 2015 of United States of America
Would you like to recommend the use of e-lactancia? Write to us at corporate mail of APILAM
It is a potent opioid analgesic chemically related to pethidine that is used in anesthesia and for the control of pain (cancer and chronic intractable). Several ways of administration: epidural, intravenous, intramuscular, intranasal, sublingual (transmucosal) or transdermal (patches).
It is excreted into breast milk in undetectable or non-significant amount (Cohen 2009, Goma 2008, Nitsun 2006, Steer 1992, Leuschen 1990, Madej 1987)
Overall no problems have been observed among infants from treated mothers (Cohen 2009). A 17-month-old infant whose mother received fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, and benzodiazepines had lethargy/irritability, cyanosis, tachycardia, and respiratory depression that were reversed by naloxone. (Beauchamp 2019)
Plasma levels in one infant were undetectable. (Cohen 2009)
It has been authorized for treatment of small infants and neonates.
Fentanyl has a very low oral availability. After a mother has underwent anesthesia by the use of Fentanyl, she may breastfeed her baby as soon as her recovery and general conditions may permit it. (Reece 2017, ASGE 2012)
Fentany has lesser effect than Pethidine (Demerol) on initiation of breastfeeding. (Fleet 2015)
Fentanyl stimulates secretion of Prolactin, however, after Lactation has been established, Prolactin level has a poor relationship with production of mother's milk.
There is controversy (Szabo 2013, Reynolds 2011, Camann 2007, Halpern 2005) about the effect of analgesic medication used for labor management (Epidural anesthesia with Fentanyl added or not ) on the initiation and/or the duration of breastfeeding:
It appears to be of more paramount importance the women's support for the establishment and continuation of breastfeeding, than the negative effect that would be exerted by administration of analgesia or anesthesia during labor. (Zuppa 2014, Torvaldsen 2006)
It occurs a higher milk production and weight increase of the infant if there is an adequate pharmacological control of the pain that appears after vaginal birth or C-section. (Wang 2005)
Several medical societies and expert authors consider the use of this medication possible during breastfeeding. (Hale, Briggs 2015, Schaefer 2015, AGA 2012, ASGE 2012, Howie 2006, Mahadevan 2006, Nice 2004, Lee 1993)
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that is usually compatible with breastfeeding. (AAP 2001)