metronidazole vaginal gel 0.75% for 6 month old baby

[smhs]

My baby is 6 months old and I was prescribed 0.75% metronidazole vaginal gel for five nights to treat my bacterial infection. Is it safe to continue breastfeeding while on this medication? I see two nurse practitioners, and both of them prescribed the same medicine. One strongly suggest me stop breastfeeding while I'm using the medicine. Another one said it's totally fine. So I am very nervous to take it. Besides, is there any other natural way to treat the bacterial infection, so I might be able to avoid using the 0.75% metronidazole vaginal gel? Thank you so much.

[admin]

smhs: metronidazole vaginal gel is only about 2% absorbed vaginally. Therefore, I doubt there is any major risk to the breastfed infant. We use it all the time in pediatrics anymore.

Lastly, there are few alternatives, such as clindamycin. I would not waste my time on natural remedies.

Tom Hale Ph.D.

[smhs]

Thanks so much for your nice reply. I have another concern. My baby has eczema. Will this medicine make his eczema worse?

[Sandra]

smhs,

It is unlikely to cause your infant to have an eczema flair up with this medication as very little is absorbed with topical use, plus I cannot find anything saying metro gel is a known trigger.


Sandra Lovato R.N.
InfantRisk Center
806-352-2519