Hi all,
I have looked through all the Q&As and I know there are lots of questions about Metformin and PCOS, but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for, so hopefully someone out there can offer some insight (at least until I can call the doctor Monday morning). I have PCOS and have recently started taking Metformin. I am also nursing my 16 month old. I was told, and all the research I did confirmed, that Metformin is safe to take while nursing. After I took the Met for the second time (yesterday) my son started vomiting. He vomited several times throughout the night and once this morning. He nursed last night and early this morning. Of course, he doesn't feel well and wants to nurse even more, but now I am worried that it might be the Metformin. It makes me pretty queasy (amongst other things) and I can't help but wonder if this is a coincidence or if he is being affected by the medication. He ate breakfast and he's kept that down, but he also hasn't nursed since very early this morning (which was right before he vomited for the last time). Has anyone experienced anything like this? Of course, like I mentioned, I will be calling the doc in the AM, but in the meantime, any insight you can provide would be appreciated. I like to go into the doc's office armed with as much knowledge as possible. Thanks!
I personally don't think any meds should be taken while nursing. If you can't even take and aspirin or have a drink while pregnant why would nursing be any different? I would continue your research and discuss it with your doctor.
I don't know the answer to this, but please look at Thomas Hales' website. He is the world's expert in taking medications while nursing. He has a book, but you can find a lot of his information online. Here is his website with a toll-free number: http://www.infantrisk.com/
My very quick search of his breastfeeding forum shows him saying that metformin could actually helpbreastfeeding by increasing supply, (http://www.infantrisk.com/forum/showthread.php?289-metfor...) and in another place it says that levels that actually get into breast milk are very very low. However, you should look around the site some more.
Also, FWIW, MANY medications can be taken safely while breastfeeding. It depends on if the drug is actually secreted into breastmilk, and many medicines go into breastmilk at such low levels that they are perfectly safe. And those that do go into breastmilk are not necessarily harmful. Please don't be scared and assume the worst.
UPDATE: Link of a study done by Hales showing that taking metaformin is safe for nursing moms: http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/Metformin.pdf
In answer to Lucky's comment. The baby is developing while pregnant and the medication interferes with the development process. Once they're born all of their organs are intact, developed, thus the medication doesn't interfere with the baby. The drugs may be bad for the baby for other reasons, tho.
Some drugs can be taken at the end of pregnancy because they only interfere with the development of certain organs and once they've formed the drug is safe to take.
Thus taking drugs during pregnancy and while nursing are two different issues.
Hi, I am not postive about answer, however I have PCOS as well and take metformion. It does make you super sick when 1st starting to take it, I hate starting it. When I was nursing my son I decided against taking it, just cuz I did not want to take anything that "might" make him sick. I hope you find your answers :) I look forward to seeing answers as well for future for me. Best of luck
Yes-it could be making him sick
Here is a great site for all things breastfeeding. At the bottom of this page, there are links about this medication.
