> I would like any information on the following drugs and breastfeeding:
> Serevent inhaler
> Proventil
> Aerobid
> A pregnant mom wishes to breastfeed and take these drugs.  The pediatrician
> does not think the Serevent is compatible.  I looked it up in Tom Hale's
> fourth edition and it says there are no reports of use in lactating women,
> but maternal plasma levels were very low.    Is there any new information on
> this drug

The British organistion, the National Asthma Campaign, are *the* experts in
Britain, and they say that all inhalers are safe to use while pregnant or
breastfeeding, but that you should be careful with steroid based inhalers to
make sure to minimize absorbtion into the blood (by use of spacers, washing the
mouth out after taking etc) and ensuring that asthmatics are on the minimum
drugs to stabilize their condition. They say Serevent is perfectly safe.

I have also been told this by numerous doctors, although I found Serevent didn't
help my asthma as well as Ventolin. The reason I was given it was purely for
my convenience, because they thought waking several times a night to use my
Ventolin would be disruptive to me - but you know what it's like in late
pregnancy and with a newborn? I didn't get much sleep anyway! :-( As I
understand it (as a sufferer, not as a medical expert), Serevent is just a
long-acting version of Ventolin or one of the other bronco-dilators, like
Proventil.

The only drug related to asthma I have been warned about is the theophylline
drugs, for which the blood levels have to be constantly checked during pregnancy
and breastfeeding to ensure they are within safe limits. However, most doctors
in Britain tend to believe that many other drugs are far more effective for the
asthma without compromising pregnancy or breastfeeding.

It is my personal opinion that breastfeeding is so *essential* to babies of
allergic mothers, that a miniscule, potential risk from inhaled drugs is
acceptable compared to both the benefits of breastfeeding and the very real
*risks* of formula feeding to these babies.

I have taken numerous inhalers and oral steroids while both pregnant and
breastfeeding, and no doctor or pharmacist has ever advised not breastfeeding -
on the contrary, with my genes, I have been strongly advised to breastfeed for
at least 6 months and to avoid *all* formula to give my baby the best chance.
In fact, I originally decided to breastfeed due to pressure from my asthma
specialist at a famous British hospital - to quote him "Most women have a
choice to breastfeed or not but to give your baby a realistic chance of
avoiding your problems, I do not feel you really have a choice. You *must*
breastfeed". I took him at his word and am very glad I did.

I did get some good information from my pharmacist and also my La Leche League
leader who looked it up in a book I presume is printed by LLL International?
--
Anna (mummy to Emma, born 17th Jan 1995 and Alice, born 11th Sept 1996)
Web Page: http://www.ratbag.demon.co.uk/anna