Clonazepam and/or ambien

[Kh510]

I have been prescribed 5-10mg ambien alongside 0.5-1mg clonazepam as needed for severe postpartum anxiety and insomnia (This is due to a failure of lorazepam helping). It would be taken nightly.

Is this combination compatible with *daytime* breastfeeding?

What would be the ideal time frame to be able to resume breastfeeding after taking the medication at night after the last evening feeding?

Would dumping the first morning milk be necessary?

The baby is 4 months old, full term and otherwise healthy.

Thank you so much

[admin]

Kh510:

At 4 months, this is probably OK. I'd be careful and use smallest dose of Ambien, as it has been reported to sedate a breastfed infant.

Clonazepam has a super long half life, so trying to avoid the peak is not really practical. in general the longer you can wait AFTER administration, the better.

Watch the baby closely for poor arousal, difficulty in getting infant to latch on, other signs of sedation. If found, stop the meds or stop breastfeeding.

Tom Hale Ph.D.