Flonase

Flonase is one of three medications recommended for breastfeeding women by the American Academy of Family Physicians (1) for the treatment of long-term allergic rhinitis (usually related to seasonal allergies).

It is considered safe with breastfeeding because it is safe in children. Its use as a spray into the nose is poorly absorbed into the blood stream, and therefore poorly absorbed into the milk.

It is a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are safely used to treat certain disorders in infants, therefore a small amount of exposure to this drug by an infant is considered safe.

Steroid medications can stunt growth. It is very important that you take this medication as directed by your physician.

The results of an overdose of this product by you on your breastfeeding infant are unknown. There are no known reports of problems for infants from the mother’s use of this drug.

Reference: 1. Spencer J, Gonzalez L, Barnhart D. Medications in the Breast-Feeding Mother. American Family Physician 2001; 64(1):119-126.

Click here for the official Flonase website.