Can you take chlorpheniramine while breastfeeding?
What LactMed says
The National Library of Medicine’s own summary, quoted in full. We do not write a verdict of our own on this question, and we do not compress theirs into a label.
Small (2 to 4 mg), occasional doses of chlorpheniramine are acceptable during breastfeeding. Larger doses or more prolonged use might cause effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established. Single bedtime doses after the last feeding of the day may be adequate for many women and will minimize any effects of the drug. The nonsedating antihistamines are preferred alternatives, though.
Quoted from Chlorpheniramine — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, revised April 15, 2026.
What LactMed would consider instead
LactMed ends this record by naming the drugs it would consider in place of chlorpheniramine. Whether any of them fits depends on what you are treating — this is the database’s list, not a recommendation from us.
How much chlorpheniramine gets into breastmilk
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
What has been seen in breastfed infants
In one telephone follow-up study, mothers reported irritability and colicky symptoms 10% of infants exposed to various antihistamines and drowsiness was reported in 1.6% of infants. None of the reactions required medical attention. In this study, no side effects were reported among 5 infants exposed to chlorpheniramine in breastmilk.
Effects on milk supply
Dexchlorpheniramine in relatively high doses given by injection can decrease basal serum prolactin in nonlactating women and in early postpartum women. However, suckling-induced prolactin secretion is not affected by dexchlorpheniramine pretreatment of postpartum mothers. Whether lower oral doses of chlorpheniramine have the same effect on serum prolactin or whether the effects on prolactin have any consequences on breastfeeding success have not been studied.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take chlorpheniramine while breastfeeding?
Small (2 to 4 mg), occasional doses of chlorpheniramine are acceptable during breastfeeding. The full record is quoted on this page, and the decision is one to make with the person who prescribed it — LactMed itself states it is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What can I take instead of chlorpheniramine while breastfeeding?
LactMed lists Cetirizine, Desloratadine, Fexofenadine, Levocetirizine, Loratadine as alternate drugs to consider. That is the database's own list for this drug — whether any of them suits you depends on what you are treating.
Does chlorpheniramine pass into breastmilk?
LactMed's measured drug levels for chlorpheniramine are quoted in full on this page, under "How much gets into breastmilk".
Do I need to pump and dump after taking chlorpheniramine?
LactMed does not frame its records that way — it reports measured drug levels in milk and what has been observed in breastfed infants, which is what this page quotes. "Pump and dump" advice for a specific drug and dose should come from your clinician or a pharmacist, not from a general rule.
More on chlorpheniramine
LactMed states that the information it presents is not a substitute for professional judgement, and that you should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. Nothing on this page is medical advice.