long-term use of Metronidazole while breastfeeding toddler

[yrachovska]

I'm a LLL leader and breastfeeding mother from Bulgaria. I was prescribed metronidazole orally at 500 mg BID for two weeks, followed by 500 mg once daily for two more weeks as rosacea treatment. I cannot find any information on prolonged use of this drug, it is usually prescribed for 5-7-10 days. Do you think the longer duration poses any risk to my breastfeeding 3-year-old? She mostly nurses in the evening (once) and morning (once) and wakes up for short feeds during the night.

Thanks!
Yoanna

[Sandra]

yrachovska,

We do not have data on long term use of metronidazole therefore we are unable to advise on the safety of treatment for one month. Treatment up to 2 weeks is probably ok as long as your toddler is not symptomatic, monitor for dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and thrush. It may also turn the urine brown, but that part is harmless.

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

[lilong313333]

Do you have long-term data on metronidazole after use? How old are the children who have been tested before?Does metronidazole have long-term carcinogenicity?