Last update Feb. 21, 2025

Tramazoline Hydrochloride

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Sympathomimetic with alpha adrenergic activity. It has vasoconstrictor effect that reduces edema and mucosal congestion. Topical nasal or ophthalmologic use (2 - 3 times a day).

At the date of last update we found no published data in relation to breastfeeding.

The small dose and the low plasmatic absorption of most nasal or ophthalmologic topical preparations make unlikely the passage of significant amount into breast milk.

Do not exceed recommended doses and time to avoid undesirable side effects and the possible decrease in milk cited by some authors (Nice 2000) for other similar drugs, although not proven in practice.

Product with very few bibliographic references and almost none on pharmacokinetics. As a nasal decongestant it is not recommended by some authors (Nice 2000), being preferable drugs of the same group better known. (Anderson 2000)

Ophthalmic administration is totally compatible with breastfeeding. Absorption can be minimized by pressing with the finger on the tear duct (inner canthus of the eye) for 1 minute.

Some authors consider oral and nasal decongestant drugs dispensable medications, to be avoided in general, not only during breastfeeding, as they expose patients to serious risks (cardiovascular, neurological and intestinal) to treat a benign alteration such as nasal obstruction, which usually evolves favorably in a few days without medication. (Prescrire 2018)

In 2025 a mother wrote to us: “only used once before bedtime at night for two days and decreased breast milk is appreciated and the baby sleeps worse, possible insomnia”.

Alternatives

  • Azelastine Hydrochloride (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Budesonide (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Fluticasone (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Mometasone Furoate (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Oxymetazoline, Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Phenylephrine (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

Tramazoline Hydrochloride in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Tramazoline Hydrochloride in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 270 daltons

References

  1. Redaction Prescrire. Pour mieux soigner, des médicaments à écarter : bilan 2018. Prescrire.org. 2018 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Nice FJ, Snyder JL, Kotansky BC. Breastfeeding and over-the-counter medications. J Hum Lact. 2000 Nov;16(4):319-31. Review. Erratum in: J Hum Lact 2001 Feb;17(1):90. Abstract
  3. Anderson PO. Decongestants and milk production. J Hum Lact. 2000 Abstract

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