Paracetamol in the nursing period

Many authors consider the intake of paracetamol during the lactation period to be harmless. According to them there would be experiences for 40 years, which let Paracetamol be the means of the 1st choice in the lactation period. Other authors see it differently.

They assume connections between ADHS and the income of Paracetamol in the pregnancy and in the lactation period. However, these suppositions have not yet been scientifically proven. In any case, a maximum dose should not be exceeded under any circumstances.

This maximum dose is different in the breastfeeding period than outside of the breastfeeding period. Single doses of maximum 1000 mg and a maximum daily dose of 2000 mg are recommended. It is not recommended to take paracetamol regularly during the breastfeeding period, even if it is taken in low doses.

Do not take paracetamol more than three days at a time. At best, consultation with the gynecologist should be made during the breastfeeding period before taking any medication. It is believed that at a dose of 1000 mg the infant receives 1.85% of the dose from the mother.

No effects have been sufficiently proven in studies. However, whether this dose actually has no effect has not been fully proven either. In any case it is important to make sure that the preparation contains only paracetamol. Some preparations also contain acetylsalicylic acid or codeine. Neither of these should under any circumstances be allowed to enter the infant via breast milk.

Paracetamol and alcohol – is it compatible?

Since both paracetamol and alcohol are broken down by the liver, acute or chronic reactions can occur. It is recommended to avoid alcohol while taking paracetamol. Alcoholism is a contraindication for the use of paracetamol.

This can be explained by the breakdown of paracetamol in the liver. This produces a toxic product, the so-called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinonimine (NAPQI). This substance is usually bound by the body’s own substance glutathione and excreted via the kidneys.

However, the glutathione reserves are limited. If the liver is now simultaneously busy breaking down alcohol, this can lead to overloading of the organ. This does not even require an overdose of paracetamol.

The destruction of the liver as a detoxification organ can have harmful effects on the whole body. Moreover, it is not yet known exactly how paracetamol works in our body. It is suspected that, among other things, it influences the messenger substance serotonin in the brain and other parts of the body.

It is possible that paracetamol in our brain particularly strongly inhibits the enzyme COX 2. This inhibition could have an influence on the transmission of pain. Among other things, alcohol also activates serotonin receptors, which presumably trigger alcohol-induced vomiting.

Furthermore, alcohol also has an influence on the transmission of pain. To what extent a combination of alcohol and paracetamol influences the messenger substance balance and the energy balance of the body in the short or long term is difficult to assess. Therefore, a combination of the drug with alcohol can lead to unforeseeable reversible and irreversible pain and damage to various organs.