Is Methenamine Hippurate safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Methenamine Hippurate. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Four newborn infants were allowed to breastfeed in one study after a maternal dose of 1 gram of methenamine hippurate. No adverse effects were reported.[ 1 ]
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Six mothers nursing newborn infants were given methenamine hippurate 1 gram orally. Five hours after the dose, a mean methenamine concentration of 7 mg/L was found in milk. In two other women, milk concentrations averaged 9.1 mg/L at 2 to 3 hours after a 1 gram dose of methenamine hippurate orally and 4.3 mg/L at 6 to 7 hours after the dose. Based on the amount of milk ingested, the authors calculated the dose the infants received to be 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg, which is about 1% of the adult dose.[ 1 ] Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Alternatives LactMed lists
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.