Tussionex??

[Glitterfully]

I have pneumonia & I absolutely cannot sleep, I'm coughing constantly. My baby is 4 months old & I'm getting very conflicted views on this medication on top of also very little information? I would take it during the day because I can't comfortability take it at night without knowing how it's going to affect me first, but I see this is also an extended release? I just want to be able to take care of my baby without feeling like I'm going to cough up an entire lung & the body pain from coughing so much is debilitating at this point. I even saw it could be FATAL to breastfeed the infant on this med??? I'm so conflicted & I need relief & I feel like a failure

[kaytlin]

Hello Glitterfully,


I'm so sorry to hear you’re sick and exhausted while trying to take care of a newborn. While Tussionex is probably safe for your baby, it may not be the best option. It is composed of hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine - hydrocodone is generally safe in breastfeeding but chlorpheniramine, a first-generation antihistamine, can potentially cause sedation in you and the baby. Fatality is very unlikely. The fact that it is also an extended release means that it will remain present longer (up to 12-24 hours) in your breastmilk than an immediate release product. If you were wanting to take this medication, you would want to take the lowest effective dose and monitor any reactions your baby may have. We would suggest taking dextromethorphan instead of the Tussionex - it is an over the counter medication which is known to be safe during breastfeeding and will cover your cough without causing sedation at normal doses. We also still recommend taking the lowest effective dose to minimize its presence in milk. If you are feeling sedated from it, that is a good indicator the sedating drug could be in your milk, and you should withhold breastfeeding until the sedation resolves. Any milk you pump during this time can be diluted with fresh/frozen milk later or milk baths.

Hope this helps!

Drs Ayers and Krutsch