Dihydrocodeine and Breastfeeding — What to Know
A brief overview is in our pregnancy guide; this article focuses specifically on breastfeeding.
How much passes into breast milk?
Dihydrocodeine and its active metabolite both pass into breast milk in small but measurable amounts — typically 1–2% of the maternal dose. For a healthy full-term baby this is usually too little to cause harm from a single dose.
When is it riskier?
- Premature babies
- Newborns under 4 weeks old (immature liver)
- Mothers who are “ultra-rapid metabolisers” via CYP2D6 (rare)
- Daily dosing rather than occasional dosing
Safer alternatives while breastfeeding
For mild pain, paracetamol is the first choice. For moderate pain, paracetamol + ibuprofen. Only step up to dihydrocodeine if those have failed.
Practical tips if you must take it
- Take the lowest effective dose
- Take it immediately after a feed
- Watch your baby for unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, or breathing changes
- Stop and seek medical advice if anything seems off
See also
Order dihydrocodeine
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