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Lialda and Breastfeeding

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/29/2009 9:54 PM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone!  My last post here was about how going off the birth control pill drastically improved my colitis, allowing me to maintain good health with only Lialda.  Well, now I am 8 months pregnant  :-)  I have been blessed to have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy.  I have stayed on the Lialda on the advice of several doctors.  Now, however, as I get closer to my due date, I am concerned about breastfeeding.  So far, all anyone has told me is that taking Lialda could give the baby diarrhea because it will be present in the breastmilk.  Otherwise the doctors seem to think it's okay.  I hate to risk a flare, but if it could hurt my baby I would obviously rather quit the Lialda or consider using formula (though it would break my heart).  Anyone have thoughts on this?  Thanks in advance for all replies, this board has always been lifesaver for me.

Posted 8/1/2009 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on your healthy pregnancy-- that's great news!!!!!!!!!! Also interesting that getting off the pill seemed to improve your UC ... There have been several threads on BFing while taking Asacol-- so you'll surely get advice from experienced UC moms here. Best wishes! / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 8/1/2009 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on your pregnancy! I too went off of BC last year after my diagnosis, I now have a 6 month old. I always reference Dr. Hale's website when it comes to medications and breastfeeding - he is the expert. It is the same info they look at at pediatricians offices.

Here is what I found about Lialda:
Lialda is just mesalamine. It's in my book, and yes, it's probably safe as long as the dose is not excessive.

Please check my book for details.

Tom Hale Ph.D.

neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/discus/messages/72/143660.html?1215613664
Posted 8/2/2009 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your replies. I wonder what an "excessive" does would be. I currently take 4 lialda per day. Maybe I will speak with my gastro about reducing the dose to 2 per day.
Posted 8/3/2009 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have wondered that too as we are considering trying to get pregnant this year. Everything I have read states it does pass through breast milk. I personally would not take it while breast feeding just because the risks are unknown...I would ask about switching to something rectal only while breastfeeding or even consider formula as you mentioned...I know breast is best usually but there are times when it is not. Just my thoughts...
Posted 8/3/2009 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
My understanding is that it definitely is present in breast milk. It seems, though, that at an appropriate dosage it is not harmful to the baby. I still haven't decided what to do, I plan to speak with a few more doctors and do more research. I would be interested to hear from anyone on the board who breastfed while taking any sort of mesalamine.
Posted 8/4/2009 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
I breastfed my son on asacol with no problems; I was also taking prednisone at the time (2006). He showed no ill-effects and is a happy 3-year-old now. I'm planning to breastfeed again with #3, too, now that I have the blessing to do so while on imuran and lialda. We're just going to watch baby closely and discontinue if she gets a lot of yeast infections or seems to be sick more often than the average babe.

Good luck! -Erica
Posted 8/17/2009 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
As an update, I am still not 100% but my currect plan with my gastro is to taper down to 2 lialda (and immediately go back up if it does not go well) by the time I deliver and then see how it goes with nursing. If anyone else has info on breastfeeding with any type of mesalamine, input is greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone reading!
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