Lactation pills

Intentional suppression of milk production is sometimes a forced measure when there are good reasons for weaning the baby from the breast. This can happen for medical reasons or for individual reasons. The process of breastfeeding is natural for the female body, and to stop it early, you have to take special pills for lactation. Such medications, like most other drugs, have their own contraindications and side effects, so you can’t blindly take these medications. Even if you have already decided on a medication that suppresses lactation, you should definitely consult a doctor before using it.

Indications for the use of lactation pills

The real indications for the use of lactation pills are:

• termination of pregnancy in the third trimester;
• stillbirth;
• purulent form of mastitis, generalized process;
• severe illnesses of the nursing mother (AIDS, malignant pathologies, heart disease, tuberculosis);
• severe illnesses in the newborn that exclude breastfeeding.

If the mother and child are healthy, then taking lactation pills without indications is not recommended.

Names of lactation pills

The most undesirable drugs for suppressing milk production are hormone-based drugs. Such medications can only be prescribed by a doctor, given the large number of contraindications and features.

One of the most famous drugs in this group is Levodopa, a drug with a dopaminergic effect. It is usually prescribed twice a day, 500 mg for 10 days. However, Levodopa has a large number of side effects - dyspepsia, increased sweating, arrhythmia, dizziness up to loss of consciousness. In addition, the drug is contraindicated in high blood pressure, diseases of the endocrine system, kidneys and liver.

Currently, in addition to hormonal agents, medications that inhibit the production of prolactin (a hormone that stimulates lactation) are also prescribed. A brief description of the listed medications is presented in the table.

Names of lactation pills	Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics	Contraindications for use	Side effects	Method of administration and dosage of lactation pills
Hormonal drugs to inhibit lactation
Sinestrol	Similar in properties to estrogens. Has a high degree of absorption.	Pregnancy, mastopathy, endometriosis, inflammatory processes of the reproductive system.	Dyspepsia, rash, edema, ovarian sclerosis.	1-2 mg every day for a week.
Microfollin	Ethinyl estradiol preparation. It is completely absorbed in the intestines.	Pregnancy, liver disease, tendency to thrombosis, endometriosis.	Pain in the mammary glands, swelling, vaginal discharge.	The first three days, 20 mcg three times a day, then three days, 10 mcg three times a day, after which – 10 mcg once a day for three days.
Norkolut	Gestagen with estrogen properties. The active component Norethisterone is excreted by the liver.	Oncological diseases, liver diseases, tendency to thrombosis.	Dyspepsia, swelling of the mammary glands, changes in body weight.	The first three days take 4 tablets/day, up to the 7th day – 3 tablets/day, up to the 10th day – 2 tablets/day.
Prolactin synthesis inhibitors
Dostinex	Lactation pills are dopamine receptor agonists. They begin to reduce prolactin levels 3 hours after administration.	Age under 16, tendency to allergies.	Tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, dyspepsia, drowsiness, migraine.	Half a tablet twice a day for 2 days.
Bromocriptine	Lactation pills, dopamine receptor stimulants. Maximum effect occurs 8 hours after administration.	Unstable blood pressure, tendency to allergies, essential tremor.	Dry mouth, headache, low blood pressure, arrhythmia, convulsions.	The average dosage is 1.25-2.5 mg up to 3 times a day.
Parlodel	Analogue of Bromocriptine.	Blood pressure fluctuations, coronary heart disease.	Nausea, low blood pressure, drowsiness.	From ½ to 1 tablet twice a day for two weeks.
Bromcamphor (camphor in tablets)	A strong sedative drug based on bromine. Excreted by the kidneys.	Sensitivity to bromides, liver and kidney disease.	Dyspepsia, drowsiness, apathy, allergies.	1-2 tablets up to 3 times a day for two weeks.
Cabergoline	Lactation pills, long-acting dopamine receptor agonists. The maximum amount of the drug is observed after 2-3 hours, regardless of food intake.	Tendency to allergies and increased blood pressure.	Headache, depression, drowsiness, dyspepsia, menstrual irregularities.	The standard dose is 0.25 to 1 mg twice a week.

Overdose of the listed agents may cause increased side effects. If signs of overdose occur, measures are taken to remove the medication from the digestive system (gastric lavage, taking sorbents and laxatives).

Interactions with other drugs

Be sure to consult your doctor when taking other medications.

Drugs with estrogen action are not prescribed together with antiestrogenic agents (for example, clomiphene citrate).

It is not recommended to take more than one drug that stimulates dopamine receptors.

It is also not recommended to combine dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists (for example, Dostinex is not combined with Metoclopramide, phenothiazines, etc.).

The absorption of most lactation pills is impaired when taken simultaneously with alcoholic beverages.

Storage conditions for lactation pills are usually standard:

• out of reach of children;
• at room temperature;
• away from direct sunlight.

The expiration date is indicated on the packaging of each specific drug, which should be verified before taking the medicine.

Which lactation pills to choose - such a decision is made only by a doctor, based on the results of the patient's diagnosis. It is necessary to understand that forced suppression of milk production is an interference in the natural processes occurring in the woman's body. And in order to maintain women's health, you need to be very careful when taking any medications.