Prednisolone and Valaciclovir

[BabyZ]

Hi!

I suddenly lost hearing in one ear and the ENT said I had to start taking steroids and an antiviral immediately. I have started with 60mg of prednisone for 5 days the dosage getting smaller after every few days for 2 weeks and also valaciclovir 500mg three times a day so that's 1500mg a day. I was breastfeeding my 7 month old but was told to wean cold turkey for the duration of the medication. Do I have to wean or is it safe to continue breastfeeding?

Thank you

[admin-james]

We discuss these meds at the following two links:
http://mommymeds.com/node/1001945
http://mommymeds.com/frequently-asked-questions/steroids

Please post again or call us at the InfantRisk Center if this has not completely answered your question. (806)352-2519

-James Abbey, MD

[trudy ahrt]

Sorry am new to this, in a hurry and having trouble working out how to ask questions so if this is all wrong, humble apologies )
Can anyone tell me if a BF mum having a MS relapse and having a IV infusion of methylprednisolone with omiprazole has to solely pump and dump?
Cheers Trudy Hart NZ

[admin-james]

This should be fine for a younger baby as well. Your dose of prednisone is about mid-range and not for very long.

-James Abbey, MD

[Greyerlking]

Would this be okay for a younger baby? My baby is 4 months old and my prescriptions are prednisone 40mg x1 wk then 20mg x 1 wk, along with acyclovir 800mg TID for a month.

[admin]

babyz: the only risk from prolonged exposure to low-dose steroids is reduced bone growth, but this would require months and months of therapy. I do not know of any risks at all to exposure to low doses of acyclovir.

Tom Hale Ph.D.

[BabyZ]

What are the possible risks to the baby? And how would I know if he's being affected?

[admin]

babyz:

I do not think that this declining dose would be a problem for a 7 month old infant. Only 2-5% of the dose actually enters milk and this is probably too low to have any effect on your infant. As for Valacyclovir, which is rapidly converted to acyclovir, less than 2% of acyclovir gets into milk, and this is far too low to bother an infant.

I'd suggest the risk to your infant is minimal.

Tom Hale Ph.D.

[BabyZ]

Sorry I meant prednisolone