Asacol and breastfeeding

[Noelia]

I'm not sure this is the right place exactly, but it seemed the best fit.

Has anyone taken Asacol or its equivalents while breastfeeding? Hale's lists it as an L3 (on a scale of L1-L5). I got my script a week and a half ago but haven't started it yet as I'm waiting to talk to my midwife/ND.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I took asacol while breastfeeding for 11 3/4 months. They switched me to that from Sulfasalazine (which is similar). Not sure why sulfa isn't safe for breastfeeding, but asacol supposedly is. Maybe the molcules are different sizes?

 

[Lydia]

I would take it, and keep a close eye on my baby for the first few days. I am a crunchy pro-breastfeeder though. I even run a support group. lol. Sick moms deserve to breastfeed, and their babies deserve breastmilk. I would not let this disease rob that from me (That is my own personal experience).

I also found this thread with different womens experiences on asocol while breastfeeding.
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1022491

Here is what exactly L3 means. Its not the best rating but its not contraindicated either.

L3 MODERATELY SAFE:
There are no controlled studies in breastfeeding women, however the risk of untoward effects to a breastfed infant is possible; or, controlled studies show only minimal non-threatening adverse effects. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the infant.

 

[mom2twogr8tkids]

I use to take Asacol and my Dr recommended me stop it during pregnancy and said that if I planned to breast feed to not start it back bc like you said it's a class 3 drug. I chose not to breast feed bc I had already been off my meds the entire pregnancy.