Oxycodone While Breastfeeding

Oxycodone is a medication for pain that passes from mother to baby during pregnancy. Oxycodone is also a risk for babies after birth, as it can transfer through breastmilk.

Childbirth can be a traumatic experience for your body. After giving birth traditionally or by cesarean section, mothers may be prescribed painkiller medications to alleviate discomfort. A popular medication used to treat post-pregnancy pain is oxycodone.

Sold under the brands OxyContin and Percocet, oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid medication intended to treat moderate to severe pain for up to 12 hours per dose depending on the specific medication prescribed. Oxycodone is often used to reduce pain associated with conditions like cancer or arthritis, and it is chemically similar to codeine.

Abuse of oxycodone can lead to drug addiction. People who use the drug in high doses or for longer than intended may develop a substance use disorder. A severe substance use disorder involving oxycodone increases the risk of long-term health complications, overdose or death.

If you choose to breastfeed your newborn, it is important to know the effects of opioids before you take them. Before using an opioid like oxycodone, consult with a health care expert to learn how the medication can affect your baby while breastfeeding.

Is It Safe to Take Oxycodone While Breastfeeding

When taking oxycodone while breastfeeding, the drug can pass through your breast milk and affect your child. Research on the effects of oxycodone while breastfeeding is limited, but some studies have shown that taking oxycodone during this time can have harmful effects on infants. A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that oxycodone is no safer than codeine when taken while breastfeeding. In the study, researchers surveyed 533 women who had questions about using acetaminophen, codeine or oxycodone to reduce pain while breastfeeding. The mothers were then asked to report the effects that these drugs had on their health and the health of their infant.

According to the report, 20 percent of 139 mothers who took oxycodone while breastfeeding reported that their child experienced symptoms of central nervous system depression, like lethargy or extreme sleepiness. Conversely, just 16.7 percent of mothers who used codeine while breastfeeding identified these symptoms in their infant.

A 2013 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that oxycodone is not recommended while breastfeeding because of the central nervous system problems that can occur in newborns. In fact, the warning label on Percocet states that the medication should not be taken during breastfeeding because of possible respiratory depression in infants.

Taking oxycodone in doses greater than 40 milligrams per day is associated with health complications in breastfed children. In addition to respiratory problems, higher levels of oxycodone in breast milk can lead to an infant developing opioid dependence. Being dependent on an opioid like oxycodone can result in withdrawal symptoms, like tremors and high-pitched screaming.
Side Effects of Oxycodone While Breastfeeding

Many medical experts promote the benefits of breastfeeding on infants. Among the advantages of breastfeeding are that it can provide nutritionally balanced meals and protection against childhood infections. Despite its benefits, taking oxycodone while breastfeeding can still cause harmful consequences in infants. An infant who receives breast milk with traces of oxycodone can experience side effects that may include:

• Sleepiness
• Lethargy
• Trouble breastfeeding

If a breastfeeding mother is addicted to oxycodone, it is difficult for her to stop using the drug. Addiction is a disease that is hard to manage. Infants who receive breast milk from mothers addicted to opioids are at an increased risk of experiencing the harmful effects of these drugs when compared with newborns who receive breast milk from mothers who take oxycodone as instructed.

If you are prescribed oxycodone while breastfeeding, be sure to take the medication as instructed by your physician. Taking oxycodone in higher doses or for longer than directed can have negative effects on you and your infant.

Alternatives to Taking Oxycodone While Pregnant

Opioids are often used after labor, particularly after cesarean section surgery. According to a 2017 study by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 91 percent of women who had a cesarean delivery needed opioids to relieve pain. On average, it took nine days for these mothers to stop using opioids. Instead of prescribing opioids, some physicians use an anesthetic called bupivacaine to treat post-pregnancy pain in female patients. Inserting the anesthetic at the area of the cesarean incision can relieve pain for several days. According to the drug company Pacira Pharmaceuticals, bupivacaine reduces opioid consumption by 78 percent.

However, Drugs.com states that low levels of bupivacaine can show up in breast milk. While studies associated with bupivacaine have not found its presence in breast milk to cause adverse reactions in infants, you should consult with your doctor before using the anesthetic.

Research has also indicated that relaxation techniques can help reduce pain. These exercises include deep-breathing techniques, self-hypnosis and biofeedback. Biofeedback involves using electronic devices to consciously control body functions like breathing or heart rate.

Yoga is another popular relaxation technique used to mitigate pain. Yoga involves body poses and breathing exercises that calm the body and mind. However, it is important to speak with your yoga instructor prior to participation so that he or she can help you avoid movements that could exacerbate your pain. Additionally, it’s recommended for new mothers to discuss yoga participation with their primary physician as they may have limitations regarding physical activity after childbirth.

Treatment for Oxycodone Addiction

Oxycodone addiction can affect many aspects of your life. It can lead to health, social and legal problems. A substance use disorder can also prevent a mother from properly caring for her infant. To learn ways to better manage your addiction, seek treatment. The Recovery Village® provides treatment centers across the United States. These facilities employ evidence-based strategies for treating substance use disorders, including those involving opioids like oxycodone. These safe and secure locations have helped many people heal. To find out how treatment can assist you in managing your addiction, contact The Recovery Village® today.

How Can New or Expecting Mothers Find Help for Addiction?

If you are a breastfeeding mother and you feel like you are addicted to oxycodone, consider seeking professional addiction treatment. Passing oxycodone through pregnancy or breastfeeding is dangerous to the baby, but stopping opioids suddenly can be harmful as well. Opioid withdrawal and detox should be managed with professional help.

Editor – Thomas Christiansen

With over a decade of content experience, Tom produces and edits research articles, news and blog posts produced for Advanced Recovery Systems. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Wendy Weber, PharmD, MBA

Wendy J. Weber is a pharmacist with almost 20 years of experience in acute care clinical practice, hospital pharmacy leadership, medication safety, and clinical research. Read more