Last update April 7, 2025

Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

1st generation antihistamine, alkylamine, with sedative effect. Dextro-isomer of chlorpheniramine, twice as active as chlorpheniramine. Oral administration every 4 to 6 hours.

At the date of last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

No problems requiring medical attention have been observed in infants born to mothers taking chlorphenamine. (Ito 1993, Paton 1985)

Possible inhibition of breastfeeding in the first weeks after birth due to antiprolactin effect. (WHO 2002, Messinis 1985)

Used in small doses (2 mg once or twice a day) and occasionally, it should not cause problems in breastfeeding (Lactmed). Monitor sleepiness and adequate infant feeding. (Butler 2014, WHO 2002)

For sustained treatment better to use an alternative. (Powell 2007).

Commercialised in polyassociation with expectorants, corticosteroids, antitussives, etc. Avoid drug associations, especially during breastfeeding.

Bed-sharing with the baby is not recommended if taking this medicine. (UNICEF 2013, Landa 2012, ABM 2008, UNICEF 2006)


See below the information of this related product:

  • Chlorphenamine Maleate (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

  • Cetirizine Hydrochloride (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Desloratadine (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Fexofenadine Hydrochloride (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Hydroxyzine (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Loratadine (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate in other languages or writings:

Group

Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Dexchlorpheniramine Maleate in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 25 - 45 %
Molecular weight 391 daltons
Protein Binding 70 %
VD 2.5 - 3.2 l/Kg
pKa 9.2 -
Tmax 2.5 - 6 hours
20 - 24 hours

References

  1. LactMed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Internet. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ 2006 - Consulted on April 16, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. Middleton PG, Gade EJ, Aguilera C, MacKillop L, Button BM, Coleman C, Johnson B, Albrechtsen C, Edenborough F, Rigau D, Gibson PG, Backer V. ERS/TSANZ Task Force Statement on the management of reproduction and pregnancy in women with airways diseases. Eur Respir J. 2020 Feb 6;55(2). pii: 1901208. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. UNICEF UK. Caring for your baby at night. A guide for parents. 2018 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. UNICEF. Ball H, Blair PS. (For UNICEF UK). Caring for your baby at night. Health professional´s guide. 2017 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. UNICEF UK. Statement on co-sleeping following publication of new NICE postnatal guidance. Infosheet. 2014 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative statement on Bed-sharing when parents do not smoke: is there a risk of SIDS? An individual level analysis of five major case-control studies. None 2013 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. L.Landa Rivera, M.Díaz-Gómez, A.Gómez Papi, J.M.Paricio Talayero, C.Pallás Alonso, M.T.Hernández Aguilar, J.Aguayo Maldonado, J.M.Arena Ansotegui, S.Ares Segura, A.Jiménez Moya, J.J.Lasarte Velillas, J.Martín Calama, M.D.Romero Escós. El colecho favorece la práctica de la lactancia materna y no aumenta el riesgo de muerte súbita del lactante. Dormir con los padres. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 14:53-60 2012 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. ABM - Comité de protocolos de la Academia médica de lactancia materna (Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine). Protocolo Clínico de la ABM #6: Lineamientos sobre la práctica de dormir al bebé junto con la madre y la lactancia materna Revisión, marzo de 2008. Breastfeeding Medicine 2008 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. ABM - The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. ABM Clinical Protocol #6: Guideline on Co-Sleeping and Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine 2008 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. UNICEF UK. Compartiendo la cama con tu bebé. Guía para madres que amamantan. Folleto 2006 Full text (in our servers)
  11. del Cuvillo A, Mullol J, Bartra J, Dávila I, Jáuregui I, Montoro J, Sastre J, Valero AL. Comparative pharmacology of the H1 antihistamines. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16 Suppl 1:3-12. Review. No abstract available. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. Solhaug V, Roland PD. Bruk av antihistaminer under graviditet og amming \ [Use of antihistaminics during pregnancy and breast feeding]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2004 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  13. Ghaeli P, Kaufman MB. Oral antihistamines/decongestants and breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1993 Abstract
  14. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M, Eliopoulos C, Koren G. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 May;168(5):1393-9. Abstract
  15. Paton DM, Webster DR. Clinical pharmacokinetics of H1-receptor antagonists (the antihistamines). Clin Pharmacokinet. 1985 Nov-Dec;10(6):477-97. Review. Abstract
  16. Messinis IE, Souvatzoglou A, Fais N, Lolis D. Histamine H1 receptor participation in the control of prolactin secretion in postpartum. J Endocrinol Invest. 1985 Apr;8(2):143-6. Abstract

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