Percocet while breastfeeding?

Wave Watcher · Apr 12, 2012

Hey guys, I have a question I need help with regarding taking percocet while breastfeeding.
The question is...
1) "Would you consider allowing a 2nd post-op day C-section patient who is breastfeeding her baby percocet ii q8h? Considering the mother, yes or no? Considering the baby, yes or no? Why?"
2) "What about 6 days post-op and q3h? Considering the mother, yes or no? Considering the baby, yes or no? Why?"
What does the ii in percocet mean? I read that acetaminophen and oxycodone both pass through breastmilk.
I'm still a student so I'm not an expert at drugs yet. The question regarding q8h, that's ok for both the mom and baby, right? And for 6 days post-op and q3h, is that too often and can cause the baby to become drowsy and maybe even cause breathing problems?
Thanks in advance!

1. No, No and No Passes through breast milk to baby possible adverse affects

2. No, No and No Passes through breast milk to baby possible adverse affects

3. I have to assume (which can be dangerous, PLEASE someone correct me if I'm wrong) that ii = 2 (two) percocets

I am an RN and will never be a drug expert....that's why I rely on the pharmacist and doctors to "know" their meds. I always look up meds myself if I ever question an order or what the drug is for. If I don't know what drug I'm giving.....I ALWAYS look it up first...it is MY responsibility to know what I give to my patients and even what I take myself at home.

diosa78 · Apr 12, 2012

I had C/S with both my kids. I breastfed them both. I took Percocet 1-2 tabs q4h with both CS along with Motrin 600mg q6h and weaned myself off of them over about 10 days. Percocet is used in postpartum breastfeeding mothers alot.

Picklefreak · Apr 12, 2012

Most drugs pass through breastmilk and get to baby. That doesn't necessarily mean they will cause harmful effects. You have to use your resources to establish whether a particular drug has been deemed safe, moderately safe, hazardous, etc in lactation. Then the risks must be weighed against the benefits. If a drug presents certain risks, perhaps there is a safer drug that can be substituted. If there are no safer alternatives, the next question to ask is what is more risky for the baby? Breastfeeding or weaning?

And the ii means 2 tablets.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2012

A C-section is major abdominal surgery and the mother should receive appropriate analgesics. I do not work post-partum but I believe percocet is used with relative frequency in the post-partum period. Most drugs will pass into the breast milk and get to the baby but the amount that gets to them is miniscule and the risk/benefit ratio always needs to be considered.

Q3hr is too often for percocet. Percocet is tylenol/oxycodone and if you are giving 2 tablets, the very least amount of tylenol the mother is getting is 650 mg. (Do you know what dose of percocet this is? I'm used to 5/325 but it does come in other doses.) 650 mg q 3 hr would equal a daily tylenol dose of 5200 mg. The maximum amount of tylenol one should receive in a day is 4000 mg. I'm thinking of the mother here.