Is Antacids safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Antacids. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. The aluminum content of human milk is normally lower than cow's milk and much lower than infant formula.[ 4 , 5 ] Magnesium is a normal component of human milk.[ 6 ] When magnesium is administered intravenously in large doses, milk magnesium levels are increased only slightly.[ 7 ] Calcium is a normal component of human milk.[ 6 ] Alginic acid and simethicone, which are components of some antacids are not absorbed orally.[ 1 , 8 ] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternatives LactMed lists
“No published information” means the studies do not exist yet — not that Antacids is known to be harmful, and not that it is known to be safe. Your prescriber or pharmacist can weigh your baby's age and whether a better-studied alternative would do the same job. Worth asking before stopping a medicine you need.
Source: NIH LactMed (National Library of Medicine).
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.