Prednisone - tapering dose

[chiredhead]

My dermatologist prescribed prednisone for a bad rosace flare. 40 mg for 2 days, then 30mg for 2 days, 20 mg for 3 days, 10mg for 3 days. Is this safe to use?

Thank you for your time.

[admin-james]

No, you do not need to pump and dump at all. Our research has indicated that typical steroid tapers (like yours) have no significant effect on infants exposed through breastmilk. Larger doses (>40mg/day) or prolonged treatment (>30mg/day for >14 days) are a little riskier and we feel it is appropriate to use a breastfeeding schedule to reduce the child's exposure. Steroids secreted into the breastmilk are eventually absorbed back into the mother's bloodstream, but this process usually takes longer than people are willing to put up with. The pump and dump recommendations in other threads are for women on higher doses with infants reliant on breastmilk for their sole source of nutrition.

[chiredhead]

Do I need to pump and dump at all? From other threads, it looks like that has been recommended with prednisone.

[admin-james]

Hi, thanks for your post.

Yes, it should be safe to breastfeed while on this medication. Have a look at this article for more information:
http://mommymeds.com/frequently-asked-questions/steroids

For anyone reading this, please post again or call us at the InfantRisk Center, (806)352-2519, if this has not completely answered your question. I would also appreciate you filling out a 2 minute survey about your time on the forum:

https://tthsclubbock.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bJzhyKVSivVkQZL&Counselor=Web

-James Abbey, MD