Is It Safe To Take Naproxen When Breastfeeding?

Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory drug that is most commonly used for treating headaches, cramps, or similar kinds of pain. So, is it safe to use naproxen while breastfeeding? We will help you find the answer to this question in this post.

Lactation and breastfeeding is a sensitive time for both the mother and the infant as the food and health of the mother directly affect the baby’s well-being. Many mothers may need medications, such as naproxen, after delivery for postpartum pain relief. But it is important to make sure that the medication does not impart any harmful effects on maternal health or infant’s health while breastfeeding them. Therefore, consulting a doctor before starting a course of medications is necessary to avoid unwanted side effects and long-term complications in infants.

Read on to know about the safety of naproxen for you and your baby.

What Is Naproxen?

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• Naproxen is an analgesic that falls under the class of drugs known as NSAIDs. NSAIDs or Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs help treat many conditions related to inflammation, pain, and fever (1).

• Naproxen is used for relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritisⁱXA type of non-curable arthritis identified by degenerated cartilage in the joints causing pain, swelling, and stiffness , rheumatoid arthritisⁱXAn autoimmune disease that attacks the lining of the joints and causes inflammation and pain, mainly hands and feet , ankylosing spondylitisⁱXAn inflammation of the spinal cord that may cause the spinal bones to fuse over time , goutⁱXA painful, inflammatory arthritis that is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints , and tendinitisⁱXA condition in which the tendons become inflamed either because of overuse, strain, or rheumatic disease . It is also used to treat menstrual pains, muscle aches, headaches, toothache, cold, fever and symptoms of various other medical conditions (2).

Quick fact

Doctors may recommend waiting 48 hours before taking naproxen for sprains because it is believed to slow down the healing. Seek medical advice on this (9).

• Naproxen is available as extended-release tablets, liquid-filled capsules, suspension and gelatin-coated tablets. While regular naproxen tablets are available as over-the-counter (OTC) pills, some forms are available only through a prescription (3).

• Some common brand names of naproxen are Naprelan®, Aleve®, Naprosyn®, Flanax®, Anaprox®, Naprelan 500 and EC Naprosyn.

Naproxen And Breastfeeding – Is It Safe?

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So, now that you know what Naproxen is, let’s look at a few facts about naproxen use while breastfeeding.

• Naproxen use for a short duration of time is considered safe during breastfeeding. However, there is always a chance of minimal risk for even drugs that are safe to take while breastfeeding.

• Naproxen use while breastfeeding is considered safe due to the drug’s lower rate of transfer into the breast milk (4).

• Research regarding the safety of naproxen use while breastfeeding is inadequate.

• Lactating women who are breastfeeding their baby and need to take an occasional pill for a headache, then naproxen (Aleve) is considered safe to use.

• Long-term use of naproxen during breastfeeding may pose harm to the infant as the compounds from the pills may transfer and collect in the child’s body.

Side Effects Of Naproxen During Breastfeeding

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Naproxen in breastfeeding can cause the following side effects, which can range from mild to severe. Here, we list some of the common ones:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Hives
• Heartburn
• Water Retention
• Excessive thirst
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Hearing problems
• Headache
• Excessive fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Indigestion
• Confusion
• Vision problems

Side Effects Of NSAIDs

There are several side effects with the use of NSAIDs. The below risks are greater for people who consume more than three alcoholic drinks on a daily basis or are generally in poor health.

• Use of NSAIDs such as naproxen is associated with increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.

• Naproxen is also known to increase the risks of intestinal/stomach bleeding and ulcers.

• NSAID use can be harmful for those with a history of diabetes and hypertension (5).

Point to consider

Since naproxen may increase the risk of stomach ulcers and internal bleeding, doctors usually prescribe some other medicine to mitigate the side effects (1).

Medicine Use While Breastfeeding

If you are a new mother, your concern about your medication use affecting the quality of your breastmilk is genuine.Here are some facts about medicine use while breastfeeding

1. All medicines affect the breast milk quality to some extent. Some drugs may do so in a mild way while others more severely.
2. Medicines in breast milk can harm preterm babies, newborns and sick infants to a greater extent than babies who are older than six months and in good health.
3. New mothers need not stop the use of all drugs when breastfeeding their child. However, you must exercise caution before starting or stopping any new drug. If you’re pregnant and taking medication for a chronic condition, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks to your baby and undergo a thorough risk assessment before making any decisions about continuing or switching medications. If you need to take any drug for a few days to treat a serious health problem, cessation of breastfeeding your child is a better option than exposing him to any risk from medicinal compounds. You can supplement his diet during this time through infant formula or as per your doctor’s advice.

Tips To Reduce The Effect Of Drugs In Breastmilk

If you can’t avoid taking a certain medication due to a serious health condition, some precautions may be necessary while you are nursing your child.

• Here are some tips to minimize risk to your nursing child due to compounds present in your pills.

• Take your dose immediately after you breastfeed your child to minimize the risk of drug exposure to your child.

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• Before taking your dose, you can express your breastmilk for your child’s next feeding to further reduce his exposure to medicines. If you notice any adverse symptoms in your child after breastfeeding, immediately inform your doctor about it.

• If you are planning your pregnancy and you suffer from any chronic condition such as arthritis or are undergoing a lengthy treatment for the same, it is better to discuss it with your doctor before you conceive.

Quick tip

If you are taking naproxen for muscle or joint pain, try replacing the oral medicine with topical NSAID creams or gels. These have fewer side effects (1).

Some Safety Precautions With Naproxen Usage

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If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you must refrain from taking even OTC naproxen pills. It is better to take any medicine, even if it is OTC pills for simple aches and fever, only after the approval of your doctor.

1. If you are planning your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about any health condition you have requiring you to take NSAIDs such as naproxen.

2. Follow-up with your doctor about your use of naproxen for any chronic condition and seek alternate treatment if possible for the duration of your pregnancy and while you nurse your child.

3. Breastfeeding is rather essential for the good health of your newborn. Do not let your use of naproxen or any other drugs deprive your child of this nutrition. Seek information about safe use of drugs while breastfeeding and alternate treatment methods whenever possible. Such information may help you manage your condition without harming your nursing child.

Infographic: Things To Know Before Taking Naproxen While Lactating

Although naproxen is generally considered safe during breastfeeding, there are some potential side effects. Hence, breastfeeding mothers need to be mindful of the frequency of naproxen dosage to protect the baby. This infographic will brief you on the essential information to know about the medicine.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS

Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association. She has also completed her Post...more

Jessica AlbertBE

Jessica Albert is a passionate writer who seeks to connect with her readers through wit and charm. Her work aims to invoke curiosity and keep the readers engaged through and through. She has two years of experience working with magazines and e-commerce establishments as a content marketer and editor. Being a mother herself, she puts all her knowledge into creating...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology. Vidya writes health-based articles...more